Anniversary of Hurricane Helene reinforces importance of severe weather preparedness for Georgia Power and customers

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power (NYSE:SO) commemorates the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, which triggered the company's largest restoration operation in its 140-year history. The Category 2 storm caused unprecedented damage across 53 Georgia counties, resulting in 1.5 million customer outages.

The company's response involved 20,000+ personnel from 35+ partner companies, who replaced 11,800+ power poles, 1,500+ miles of power lines, and 5,800+ transformers. Despite the extensive damage, 95% of customers had power restored within 8 days, with 523,000+ restored in the first 48 hours. Georgia Power received the Edison Electric Institute Emergency Recovery Award for their exceptional restoration efforts.

Positive

• Rapid response with 95% of customers restored within 8 days
• Successfully mobilized 20,000+ personnel for largest restoration operation in company history
• Received Edison Electric Institute Emergency Recovery Award for exceptional restoration efforts
• Demonstrated strong emergency preparedness with pre-positioning of resources and early mobilization

Negative

• Most destructive hurricane in company's 140-year history requiring extensive infrastructure rebuilding
• Severe damage required complete rebuilding of power grid portions
• Current 2025 hurricane season shows potential threats to Coastal Georgia

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One year ago: Georgia Power mobilized its largest restoration operation ever to respond to the most destructive storm in the company's history;

2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season continues with storms developing that could impact Coastal Georgia

ATLANTA, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- One year ago today, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane before entering Georgia as a Category 2 storm, barreling through the state leaving behind unprecedented devastation. With 53 counties declared major disaster sites by FEMA, Helene became the most destructive hurricane in Georgia Power's 140-year history — causing more damage than hurricanes Michael, Irma, and Matthew combined. Ultimately, Georgia Power restored 1.5 million total customer outages following the storm.

But Georgia Power was ready. The company monitors weather conditions and potential threats to the power grid 24 hours a day, and anticipated severe damage from Helene more than a week in advance. The company took steps to prepare early for the storm, including mobilizing additional staff from across the industry and pre-positioning restoration workers, equipment, and supplies near areas of anticipated impact including extra transformers, poles, cables, wires and other equipment.

For Helene, the company mobilized its largest restoration operation in its history – 20,000+ personnel, including every Georgia Power crew and teams from 35+ assisting partner companies across the U.S. and Canada, worked tirelessly to restore power and rebuild critical infrastructure. The company repaired or replaced 11,800+ power poles, 1,500+ miles of power lines, 5,800+ transformers, and addressed 3,200+ trees impacting lines. In some areas, the damage was so severe that crews had to rebuild portions of the power grid from the ground up.

Despite the scale of destruction, 95% of impacted customers had power restored within 8 days, with 523,000+ restored within the first 48 hours.

Georgia Power has launched Circuit Cast – a new podcast available on Apple Podcasts. In the inaugural episode, Walt Dukes, distribution manager for Georgia Power, reflects on the anniversary of Hurricane Helene and his experience managing restoration efforts in Augusta. Click here to listen.  

2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Underway
While the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has been fairly quiet so far, the company is monitoring storms in the Atlantic that could impact Savannah and Coastal Georgia within the next week. As the season continues through November, Georgia Power reminds customers to stay weather aware and prepared. The company offers many tools and resources that can help keep customers informed and connected during severe weather events of all sizes and types.

• Outage Alerts – Customers subscribed to the free Georgia Power Outage Alert service will receive personalized notifications and updates via text message. Check that your contact number is up to date to receive the latest information.
• Outage & Storm Center – Available at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Storm, customers can visit this site to ensure their contact information is updated to receive 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.
• Outage Map – Housed within the Outage & Storm Center, Georgia Power's interactive Outage Map provides near real-time information, allowing users to see where outages are occurring across the state and track estimated restoration times. The map is updated regularly from teams in the field.
• Georgia Power Mobile App – Download the Georgia Power mobile app for Apple and Android devices to access storm and outage information on the go.
• Social Media – Follow Georgia Power across Facebook, Instagram and X for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and more.

Georgia Power Response to Hurricane Helene Recognized
Georgia Power was recognized earlier this year for the work of local power crews during Hurricane Helene in 2024 with the receipt of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Emergency Recovery Award. This award commended the company's exceptional efforts to swiftly restore service to the public in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

"The worst from Hurricane Helene certainly brought out the best in every Georgia Power employee – starting with our line workers on the front lines of our response to the historic storm, aided and supported by every other employee who participated in restoration and rebuilding in the aftermath and months following. This award from EEI is a testament to their shared dedication and commitment to our neighbors and communities, and the excellence they bring in service for our customers when it counts the most," said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power. "I'm honored to be a part of this incredible team and couldn't be more grateful for their dedication and commitment to being here for Georgia every day."

Read more about Georgia Power's response to the historic Hurricane Helene at www.georgiapower.com/helene.

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 2.8 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, 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 offers rates below the national average, focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

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SOURCE Georgia Power

FAQ

How many customer outages did Georgia Power restore after Hurricane Helene?

Georgia Power restored 1.5 million total customer outages following Hurricane Helene, with 523,000+ restored within the first 48 hours.

What infrastructure damage did Hurricane Helene cause to Georgia Power's system?

The hurricane damaged 11,800+ power poles, 1,500+ miles of power lines, 5,800+ transformers, and caused 3,200+ trees to impact power lines.

How many personnel did Georgia Power mobilize for Hurricane Helene restoration?

Georgia Power mobilized 20,000+ personnel, including all Georgia Power crews and teams from over 35 assisting partner companies across the U.S. and Canada.

How long did it take Georgia Power to restore power after Hurricane Helene?

Georgia Power restored power to 95% of impacted customers within 8 days, with 523,000+ customers restored in the first 48 hours.

What recognition did Georgia Power receive for its Hurricane Helene response?

Georgia Power received the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Emergency Recovery Award for their exceptional efforts in swiftly restoring service after Hurricane Helene.