EMCs Continue Challenging Work to Restore Power

TUCKER, Ga. – Approximately 334,000 EMC customers remain without power as of 10:45 a.m. today, down from 435,000 following the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

The catastrophic damage causes challenges, as roads must be cleared, and flooding must recede to access damaged power equipment to make repairs.

Hurricane Helene caused serious damage to the high-voltage transmission lines and substations that supply power to EMCs, which distribute the electricity to customers. Georgia Transmission reports that 30 of the more than 100 electrical substations that were knocked out by Helene are now at full operation. In addition, 20 of the 100-plus high-voltage transmission lines have been repaired or replaced. Fixed-wing planes and helicopters are now flying the state to assess and locate damage.

The damage to the supply side of the electrical grid from Helene is extensive, surpassing that of 2018’s Hurricane Michael in many areas, and will take longer to assess and repair. The damaged transmission lines and substations must be repaired before electricity will be available to run through residential lines. Georgia Transmission has been working in concert with local EMCs to get the power grid to fully functioning.

Hundreds of line workers from outside the state have come to help Georgia’s EMCs in restoration work. Many EMCs are setting up temporary “tent cities” through the help of storm service providers to house, feed and clothe these linemen. These services allow EMC employees, many of whom also do not have power, to better assist in the restoration effort. Every effort is being made to restore power as quickly, effectively and safely as possible.

Because of the extended time it will take to restore power in this complex situation created by Hurricane Helene, those who are medically fragile or have other critical electricity-dependent needs should consider temporarily seeking shelter in other areas that were less affected by this storm.

Safety continues to be a top priority in the restoration process. We recommend individuals keep a safe distance from crews working and stay away from downed power lines. Those that are using a generator as a temporary power source should follow the recommended generator safety tips, listed below, for the duration of the outage.

Generator Usage and Safety:
• If using a generator, follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and all safety guidelines.
• Never operate a generator, grill, or camp stove indoors, such as in your home, crawlspace, basement, or garage.
• Never connect generators to another power source, such as power lines. The reverse flow of electricity or "backfeed" can electrocute an unsuspecting utility worker.

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.

About Georgia EMC:
Georgia EMC is the statewide trade association representing the state’s 41 electric cooperatives, Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp. Collectively, Georgia’s customer-owned co-ops provide electricity and related services to 4.4 million people, nearly half of Georgia’s population, across 73 percent of the state’s land area. To learn more, visit www.georgiaemc.com and follow us on Facebook and X.

About Georgia Transmission:
Georgia Transmission Corp., a not-for-profit cooperative owned by 38 Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs), owns more than 5,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines and more than 780 substations. These facilities deliver power to Georgia’s EMCs providing electricity to more than 4.5 million Georgians. For more information, visit gatransmission.com.

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