The Gist: Hurricane Idalia slammed into Valdosta, which was designated as a “Tree City, USA,” this morning and is trailing a path of destruction as it moves northward. Thousands of Georgia Power crews are stationed and ready to tackle the outages.
What Happened: Heavy rain poured down, causing flash floods, while hurricane-force winds knocked over trees and took down power lines. Georgia Power has managed to restore electricity to more than 40,000 homes. Yet, as of 4:30 p.m., about 132,396 customers are still in the dark.
By The Numbers:
- 132,396 customers without power as of 4:30 p.m.
- 40,000 customers who got power restored since Idalia hit.
- 35 MPH wind speed under which repair crews will begin restoration work.
Why It Matters: The hurricane not only disrupts daily life but poses a significant risk to residents’ safety. Power outages could affect medical equipment, spoil food supplies, and make it difficult to communicate. Extended periods without electricity also put vulnerable populations at risk, especially during a hot Georgia summer.
Safety First: Georgia Power advises residents to stay away from downed lines, flooded areas, and repair crews at work. The company also provides real-time outage information through their Outage & Storm Center.
What’s Next: Georgia Power restoration crews, joined by teams from Alabama Power and Mississippi Power, are on standby to begin repairs as soon as conditions are deemed safe. The company asks residents to heed safety warnings and stay updated through their resources, which include an Outage Map and a 24-hour hotline.
Plants Still Operational: Georgia Power assures that its diverse mix of power plants, including Vogtle and Hatch, are equipped to handle severe weather conditions. These plants incorporate multi-layer safety systems designed to withstand significant hazard events like Idalia.
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