EMCs Prepare For Hurricane Michael

TUCKER, Ga., Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs) are preparing for Hurricane Michael as it makes its way toward Florida and Georgia.  Although the timing and potential impact to Georgia continue to change, co-op representatives have contingency plans in place and will be prepared for any damage associated with the event. 

"It's still too early to tell what Michael may bring in the way of damage to Georgia, but forecasts currently are predicting high winds, heavy rain and potential flooding in some portions of the state," says Harry Reeves, vice president of Training, Education and Safety with Georgia EMC. "Residents should be assured that all electric cooperatives across the state are prepared and ready to restore service as quickly as possible in the event we're affected by this storm."

Electric cooperatives have been in contact with EMCs within Georgia as well as nearby states to request help and additional support. To date, Kentucky, Arkansas, Virginia and Tennessee have pledged crews and equipment to help, if needed. 

Potential impacts to Georgia include damaging winds and heavy rain, and brief, isolated tornadoes which are increasingly likely on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. In addition, the National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane and tropical storm watches for parts of southwest Georgia as well as Alabama and Florida.

Based on the latest forecast for Hurricane Michael and acting on a recommendation from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) officials, Gov. Nathan Deal today issued an emergency declaration for 92 Georgia counties. According to a news release, the emergency declaration is effective for seven days and makes all state resources available to local governments and entities within the impacted area of the hurricane.

To be ready for any eventuality, EMCs have mobilized all key personnel and additional contract crews, prepared trucks with emergency equipment and increased supplies of materials should the effects of the storm become severe.  Key staff members have also been in contact with other emergency service providers such as local EMAs, Police, Fire and Public Works.

The EMCs will continue to watch this storm closely and would like to remind members to keep abreast of the storm's development and take every precaution in the event the state experiences its effects. Stay informed by visiting https://www.weather.gov/ffc/

Customers should contact their local EMC to report any power outages and can obtain storm updates through their local EMC.

Georgia EMC is the statewide trade association representing the state's 41 electric cooperatives, Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp.  Collectively, Georgia's customer-owned co-ops provide electricity and related services to 4.4 million people, nearly half of Georgia's population, across 73 percent of the state's land area. To learn more, visit www.georgiaemc.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Georgia EMC

Related Links

http://www.georgiaemc.com