In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Georgia reports 620,313 power outages, with recovery efforts involving 14,000 crew members from Georgia Power. The storm has claimed at least 61 lives and caused significant property damage across the Southeast, affecting nearly 2.5 million customers. Restoration timelines vary, with some areas expected to regain power by October 5.
Thousands of residents in Georgia remain without power in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has caused significant disruption throughout the Southeast. As reported by PowerOutage.US, as of 6:45 p.m. ET, a staggering 620,313 customers in Georgia are experiencing power outages. This situation places Georgia as the state with the second highest number of outage incidents due to the storm, trailing only South Carolina, which reports 818,153 outages, while North Carolina follows with 491,165. In total, nearly 2.5 million homes and businesses across the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia are affected by power outages following the devastating storm’s passage. As efforts to restore electricity intensify, approximately 14,000 crew members are actively engaged in restoration works across Georgia. A Georgia Power spokesperson remarked, “We are continuing to work around the clock to restore power for our customers quickly and safely.” The company further warned of potential additional outages, as saturated grounds and compromised trees increase the risk of further disruptions. In the Valdosta region, roughly 73 miles northeast of Tallahassee, there are currently 31,275 customers affected due to 180 power outages, with power restoration expected by Saturday, October 5. In the Atlanta area, 54 outages are impacting 418 customers, with assessment efforts ongoing to determine restoration timings. Hurricane Helene reached Florida’s Big Bend as a Category 4 hurricane before weakening into a tropical depression as it moved through the Southeast. The catastrophic storm has claimed at least 61 lives across the five impacted states, according to reports from the Weather Channel. Historic flooding has been observed in several locations, alongside property damage estimated between $15 billion to $26 billion, predominantly affecting Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
Hurricane Helene, a powerful storm that made landfall in Florida, has left a path of devastation across the southeastern United States, prompting widespread power outages that have affected millions. The storm’s severe impact can be observed in the substantial power outages reported in Georgia and surrounding states. Recovery efforts are ongoing, as utility companies work diligently to restore power while contending with the aftermath of flooding and infrastructure damage. This incident highlights the vulnerability of regions prone to hurricanes and the ongoing challenges faced by restoration teams during natural disasters.
In conclusion, Georgia continues to grapple with extensive power outages in the wake of Hurricane Helene, as significant recovery efforts are underway. The impact of this severe storm is evident, with millions without power and substantial property damage reported. The response from utility crews illustrates a commitment to restoring services promptly and safely, yet there remains a critical need to monitor conditions as the potential for further outages persists due to ongoing environmental challenges.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com