Severe storms ripped through Georgia on Sunday, knocking out power to thousands of residents across the state. Crews from Georgia Power and Coweta-Fayette EMC worked throughout the day to restore service, using advanced technology to speed up repairs. By the afternoon, power had been restored to nearly 170,000 customers, but thousands still remained in the dark.
Storms Cut Power Across Metro Atlanta and Beyond
Strong winds and heavy rains pummeled metro Atlanta and surrounding areas, leaving a trail of destruction. Trees and power lines toppled under the force of the storm, creating hazardous conditions for residents and utility crews alike.
Officials from Georgia Power reported over 110 broken or damaged poles, 300 spans of downed wires, and dozens of damaged transformers. The company emphasized that while progress had been made, nearly 1,300 individual cases of damage still needed attention. The ongoing windy conditions only added to the challenge, as more trees and branches continued to fall on power lines.
Coweta-Fayette EMC also faced widespread outages. The company started the morning with over 17,000 homes without power but managed to bring that number down to around 7,000 by midday. With daylight aiding repair efforts, crews continued working to get the lights back on for affected customers.
Technology Aiding Faster Restoration
Utility companies credited “smart grid” technology for helping speed up the restoration process. This system allows for remote restoration and switching, enabling crews to reroute power even as the storm was still raging.
- The technology helped restore service to nearly 170,000 Georgia Power customers by 2 p.m.
- Crews were able to quickly identify and address faults, reducing the time needed for manual inspections.
- Despite the quick response, many areas still required in-person repairs due to extensive infrastructure damage.
As repair teams tackled the hardest-hit areas, they encountered not just downed power lines but entire trees uprooted from the soaked ground. Georgia Power noted that many trees fell outside the company’s right-of-way areas, making the job even more difficult.
Safety Concerns Amid Cleanup Efforts
With power lines down and debris scattered across roads and yards, officials urged residents to remain cautious. Live wires can be deadly, even if they appear inactive. Utility companies advised people to assume all downed lines were energized and to keep their distance.
“One of the biggest dangers after a storm like this is downed power lines,” Georgia Power said in a statement. “While some energized wires spark and snap, others may not appear dangerous at all. It’s always best to stay far away and call emergency services if you see one.”
Additionally, residents were reminded to use generators safely, keeping them outdoors and away from enclosed spaces to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Ongoing Efforts to Restore Power
By late Sunday evening, crews were still hard at work clearing debris and making final repairs. While most affected customers had power restored, thousands were still waiting.
Coweta-Fayette EMC expected significant progress overnight but warned that some customers in the hardest-hit areas might remain without power into Monday. Georgia Power echoed similar concerns, citing the complexity of some remaining outages.
For those still without electricity, officials recommended checking their utility provider’s website or social media channels for updates. As cleanup efforts continue, residents are urged to report any new outages or hazards to their power company.
