EMCs Conduct Critical Damage Assessment After Hurricane Helene
TUCKER, Ga. – At 11:30 a.m., EMCs in Georgia are reporting approximately 435,000 members without power, primarily in South and Southeast Georgia, due to Hurricane Helene. Outage numbers rose sharply overnight and early this morning as the storm traveled north through the state, causing some of the worst destruction on the eastern side of the storm’s path.
In addition to damage to the EMCs’ distribution lines, Hurricane Helene severely damaged high-voltage transmission lines. These transmission lines are a critical piece of the electric grid, as they feed the substations that provide power to EMC distribution lines. Georgia Transmission and local EMCs have spent much of the day conducting an extensive damage assessment of Georgia’s power grid.
Crews are discovering catastrophic damage to the electric infrastructure. Georgia Transmission estimates that more than 100 high-voltage transmission lines and 60+ associated electrical substations are currently out of service.
As crews continue damage assessments, they are simultaneously working to restore power where possible. With the severity of damage to the transmission and distribution systems, EMCs warn there will be extensive delays in total restoration. Consequently, some EMC members in the most damaged parts of the state—especially those who are medically fragile—are encouraged to make temporary arrangements.
Beginning last week, EMCs in the path of Hurricane Helene called upon crews and line workers across the state as well as nearby states to aid in the restoration effort. Right now, crews and equipment have already arrived or are expected from Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Ohio and Alabama. The list of states sending crews is likely to increase now that Helene has passed through Georgia.
During the recovery and restoration effort, EMCs want to remind the public to avoid downed power lines and assume that any downed lines are energized. Downed lines are extremely dangerous and could be fatal depending upon ground conditions. This is especially true in wet situations and even more so with standing water as a result of this storm. In addition, we ask the public to keep a safe distance from crews as they work to restore power.
Outage Information: A map showing current outages by region, updated every 15 minutes, can be found at http://www.georgiaemc.com/outages. To report power outages and gain more detailed outage and restoration updates, customers should contact their local EMC provider.
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