Georgia Power prepared for Tropical Storm Zeta

ATLANTA, Oct. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As Tropical Storm Zeta continues to strengthen as it tracks towards the Gulf Coast, Georgia Power is prepared to respond to any service interruptions that may occur later this week as the storm moves into middle and north Georgia. Due to already saturated soil and possible high winds, Zeta is likely to bring down trees that could cause outages. Customers are encouraged to use this time to prepare and keep safety in mind when threatened with possible dangerous conditions and storm damage. Georgia Power continues monitoring the changing weather around the clock and has the ability to coordinate with other utilities to field requests for assistance through the mutual assistance network when necessary.

Hurricane season continues through November
With the official hurricane season continuing through November 30, Georgia Power offers the following storm preparedness tips:

    --  Before a Storm:  Know your risks of flooding and tropical storm or
        hurricane strength winds. Check your emergency kit, unplug major
        appliances and charge cell phones in case you lose power.
    --  During a Storm: Have several ways to receive emergency notifications and
        weather updates. If your area is under an evacuation order, follow
        safety orders from local officials immediately.
    --  After a Storm: Never touch any downed or low-hanging wire, including
        telephone or TV wires that touch a power line. Never pull tree limbs off
        power lines or enter areas with debris or downed trees as downed power
        lines may be buried in wreckage. Additionally, do not walk or drive
        through standing water as it may conceal live wires brought down by the
        storm.

Before severe weather strikes, customers are encouraged to become familiar with Georgia Power's Outage Map on www.georgiapower.com that makes tracking and reporting outage information on the go even easier. The Outage Map automatically adjusts to function on any desktop, handheld or mobile device and has direct access to Georgia Power's social media channels for quick engagement with customer service representatives. Additionally, users have greater search capabilities with concise alert information relating to their specific outage.

Additional Georgia Power Tools You Can Use

    --  Outage Alerts: Subscribe to the free Georgia Power Outage Alert service
        to receive personalized notifications and updates via text message.
    --  Outage & Storm Center: At www.georgiapower.com/storm, customers can sign
        up for Outage Alerts, report and check the status of outages, and access
        useful safety tips and information. Customers can also report and check
        the status of an outage 24 hours a day by contacting Georgia Power at
        888-891-0938.
    --  Georgia Power Mobile App: Download the Georgia Power mobile app for
        Apple and Android devices to access storm and outage information on the
        go.
    --  @GeorgiaPower on Twitter: Follow @GeorgiaPower on Twitter for storm
        tips, outage updates, customer service and more.

Storm Response Pandemic Preparations
Georgia Power constantly monitors changing weather conditions and is prepared to respond to service interruptions that might occur because of severe weather while taking proactive actions including special "distancing" and other precautions to help protect customers and employees from the spread of the virus.

In addition, the company's comprehensive pandemic plans help ensure readiness of the critical personnel and facilities necessary to continue providing the safe and reliable energy customers expect and deserve.

In the field, the power restoration process includes these key steps:

    --  Assessing Conditions - Responding crews - or in major storms, damage
        assessment teams - work to identify trouble spots and the resources
        needed to fix them, which could involve coming onto customers' property.
        Crews will employ appropriate distancing efforts and customers are asked
        to keep children and pets indoors and maintain safe distances from crew
        members as well.
    --  Making Repairs - Georgia Power crews focus on repairs that return power
        to the greatest number of customers in the least amount of time.

Ways you can help keep workers safe while they work in the field:

    --  If you see utility crews, please stay back a minimum of six feet - much
        more if they are working.
    --  Please, no cookies or treats for workers during this time. Give a wave
        or thumbs up to workers you see. They'll understand your gratitude as
        they work to keep the lights on.
    --  Don't touch utility trucks or equipment. Electric providers are
        operating under modified conditions to keep workers safe, which includes
        additional cleaning and sanitation of tools and equipment.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.6 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

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SOURCE Georgia Power