It’s another day without power for many northeast Georgians whose service was disrupted by Monday’s ice storm. The outages were caused by fallen trees and broken utility poles. Most of the existing outages are those experienced by Habersham EMC members. HEMC spokeswoman Nicole Dover says all power is expected to be restored sometime Thursday.
Crews from seven other EMCs arrived Tuesday to assist in restoration efforts. As of 9 am Wednesday there were approximately 4,900 HEMC members without power, including 1,700 in Habersham and 2,300 in White County.
It may not seem like it to those still without electricity who are struggling to stay warm but utility crews are making headway. Power was restored to more than 2,000 HEMC members overnight while GA Power has restored service to all but 220 of its Habersham County customers. More than 5,000 GA Power customers are still disconnected from the power grid in Hall County.
Dover urges HEMC members still experiencing outages to call in or go online to report them. “The outage system matches the account locations to phone numbers, so it is extremely important that this information be correct.” She explains there are instances where outdated phone numbers still appear on the account, or friends and family have reported outages and provided a different phone number rather than the one listed on the account. This can lead to false outage reports, which can lead to delays in restoration as resources can be sent to the wrong location.
HEMC members who continue to be without electricity should report their outages every four to six hours. As power is restored on main lines, reports are cleared, however, there could be a problem impacting a member’s location. Outages may be reported by phone at (706)754-2114, (706)865-4362 or (800)640-6812 OR online at habershamemc.com.
Do not report outages through social media as those channels are not monitored 24/7.
After restoration efforts are complete, all HEMC members are encouraged to verify their account information to ensure it is up to date. This can be done online through the HEMC website or by contacting either HEMC office.
Power outage safety tips and suggestions
HEMC offers these public safety tips for dealing with downed power lines and outages:
- Treat ALL downed lines as if they were energized. Avoid the area and contact your power company immediately.
- Check your home’s breaker panel (and any outdoor disconnects) to make sure the outage isn’t due to a tripped breaker.
- Call your neighbors to see if their power is off. This will help determine if the problem exists within your home or on the lines.
- If the problem is outside your home, call your service provider. HEMC is available day or night, 365 days a year. They can process your call quicker if you have this information ready: Name on your account, phone number at the location of the outage and cause of power outage (if you know it).
- If you call during a time of widespread outages, an automated system may answer your call. Listen carefully and follow the directions. This system can take many more calls than live operators could in times of heavy phone traffic.
- It will be necessary for you to have a land line phone (not a cordless phone) or cell phone available because a cordless phone will not work when power is off.
- Protect Your Family and Property
- Limit opening your freezer and refrigerator to prevent food spoilage. Food will keep longer if doors remain closed.
- Don’t cook inside with charcoal and be careful with candles, fireplaces, fuel lamps, etc.
- If you use a portable generator, isolate it from our lines with a double-pole, double-throw transfer switch. Not doing this could cause electrocution to anyone coming in contact with the lines or a direct feedback and ruin all the appliances in your home.
Preparing for outages before the storm hits
With more precipitation and cold temperatures in the forecast for north Georgia, now is a good time to prepare for the possibility of more power outages. Here’s some advice from HEMC on how to prepare:
- It’s smart to have these items on hand during extended outages: Flashlights, extra batteries, candles and matches or some type of fuel lamp (kerosene, oil, propane) and extra fuel.
- Water. If you depend on a well, you’ll need to fill bathtubs or other large containers for household use. Fill clean pitchers or jugs for drinking water.
- Nonperishable foods that don’t need cooking are ideal, like canned fruit, powdered milk, peanut butter, bread and crackers. Don’t forget the manual can opener!
- Have blankets, sleeping bags and extra clothes, including hats. If you have a fireplace, make sure there’s kindling and a good supply of wood.
- An AM/FM radio with extra batteries for local information and a NOAA weather radio for weather warnings. A wind-up or battery-powered clock will come in handy, too.
- It is very important for those on life-support equipment to make alternate plans for power or lodging in the event of a prolonged outage.
