Georgia’s EMCs prepared for Winter Storm Gianna

TUCKER, Ga. — Georgia’s Electric Membership Corporations are closely monitoring the additional round of wintry weather forecasted for this weekend and, as always, stand ready to address any power outages that might occur.

As a part of standard preparedness procedures, EMC crews are working now to ensure line trucks are properly fueled and winterized to safely travel in snowy conditions. EMCs have gathered and continue to gather extra materials, including power poles, wires, transformers, and connectors, to accommodate any needed power line repairs.

Wind speeds are estimated to reach up to 35 mph in parts of the state, which could result in power outages. While no major ice accumulation is forecasted, EMC members should take time now to prepare in case power is disrupted and make sure they know how to report an outage to their local EMC. In addition, members should have extra blankets, battery-powered lights, non-perishable food, and an emergency heat source available. EMC members who rely on electricity for medical needs should ensure their emergency plan is in place. Those using a generator should follow manufacturer safety guidelines to prevent the backfeeding of power lines, protecting electric utility employees from serious or fatal injuries.

Unusually cold temperatures will blanket the state this weekend. Small steps EMC members take to conserve energy now can positively impact their electric usage and ultimately their bill.

• Set thermostats to 68 degrees or lower and adjust window units accordingly. Warming and cooling the home accounts for 55% of residential energy usage.
• Add extra blankets and lower your thermostat at night and when you are away from home.
• Open blinds, drapes, and curtains to let in warmth from the sun and close them at night to keep out the cold.
• Caulk or weather strip around windows, exterior doors, and any gaps.
• Close the fireplace damper when not in use.
• Space heaters are not designed to warm an entire home efficiently. Using your HVAC system is more efficient than adding additional space heaters during extreme cold temperatures.

Outage Updates:

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, EMC members should contact their local EMC provider.