Georgia Power offers winter safety tips

ALBANY — Winter Weather Preparedness Week is an annual statewide campaign spearheaded by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and supported by multiple companies and organizations, including Georgia Power.

By creating an online storm center and a series of winter weather informational videos, Georgia Power was recently recognized for its public service efforts.

Georgia Power introduced a video during awareness week created in partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation highlighting simple guidance and preparedness tips to help Georgia residents become “winter road ready.”

The video features the DOT’s Natalie Dale, along with Georgia Power’s John Kraft, discussing the importance of staying off the roads when winter weather strikes.

Tips highlighted in the new video include:

• Stay safe around downed power lines. Severe winter weather can cause trees and power lines to fall on cars and roadways. If you see a downed power line, call 911 immediately.
• Watch for crews working on the roads. Utility linemen are included in Georgia’s “Move Over Law,” which requires drivers to move over one lane when utility crews are working on the roadside.
• Pay attention to alerts and advisories. Stay off the roads as much as possible before, during and after winter weather alerts and wait until GDOT provides an “all clear” to travel. Dial 511 from a mobile phone to access GDOT’s Travel Information System.

The new video is part of a larger series of Georgia Power videos available at GeorgiaPower.com/WinterPrep featuring useful information on various winter weather topics including Watches vs. Warnings, Staying Connected, Electrical Safety and more.

Georgia Power is highlighting Winter Weather Awareness Week as a way to help residents prepare for severe winter weather in the coming months. In collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Georgia Emergency Management Agency, an online campaign was created to better help customers understand how severe winter weather impacts the state, and highlight steps they can take in advance to be prepared. Every day throughout the week, a specific preparedness tip will highlight actions customers can take to become winter ready.

To learn more, visit http://www.gema.ga.gov.