Georgia Power estimates power restoration dates

ATLANTA —Georgia Power announced Friday the regional estimated restoration times (ERTs) following Hurricane Michael. As of Thursday evening, Georgia Power had restored power to 255,000 customers, with more than 4,800 personnel and crews working around the clock.

The ERT for Georgia Power customers who are able to receive electric service in the following areas are expected to be restored by these projected times:

— Savannah and Coastal area, Friday by midnight

— Augusta area, Friday by midnight

— Columbus and West Georgia area, Saturday by 5 p.m.

— Americus area, Sunday by 10 p.m.

— Macon and Central Georgia area, Sunday by 10 p.m.

— Albany area, Monday by 8 p.m.

— Bainbridge area, Tuesday by 8 p.m.

While damage assessment began at daybreak Thursday, teams faced conditions such as downed trees and impassible roads that required clearing to continue work. Georgia Power is working with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and local governments to open up access to allow crews to begin restoration efforts in the hardest-hit areas.

Restoration progress since the beginning of the storm has been largely possible thanks to Georgia’s advanced electric system, which allows the company to reroute and restore power even when weather conditions prevent work in the field, as well as the early work of crews.

According to Georgia Power, the company monitored Hurricane Michael’s path prior to the storm entering Georgia. To complete restoration as quickly and safely as possible, the company mobilized approximately 4,800 personnel from Georgia Power, other Southern Company operating companies and assisting utilities. The company said all of Georgia Power’s resources are being held and dedicated to storm restoration efforts in the state following the hurricane, and that the company continues to work to procure additional resources as they become available.

The company encourages customers to keep safety first following Hurricane Michael:

— Watch for downed wires. Downed power lines may be hidden by debris or fallen trees.

— Never touch any downed wire or attempt to remove tree branches from power lines – it can kill.

— Don’t step in standing water or saturated ground where downed lines may be present. They could be electrified.

— Avoid chain link fences. They may be electrified by a downed line out of sight and conduct electricity over great distances.

— Watch for Georgia Power crews working across the state. If driving, move over one lane for utility vehicles stopped on the side of the road – it’s the law in Georgia.

Damage Update – as of 8 p.m. Thursday

— There are approximately 95,000 Georgia Power customers currently without power.

— There are more than 2,095 cases of individual damage or trouble (including broken poles and lines) the company is working to repair.

— Damage and outages are widespread across central and south Georgia with the hurricane impacting service to customers around Albany, Americus, Bainbridge, Macon, Valdosta, Vidalia and beyond.