Georgia Power ‘ready to respond' as they prepare for severe weather
Georgia Power is gearing up for the severe weather expected to hit over the weekend.
Spokesperson Matthew Kent told Channel 2's Eryn Rogers that crews are in place right now across the state and ready to respond wherever the storm may hit.
On Friday, Rogers visited the Georgia Power substation on Jefferson Street in Northwest Atlanta. She saw crews gassing up the trucks and loading them with extra equipment.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
'Transformers, poles, wires, all the things they need,' Kent said.
He said after the storm rolls through, their damage assessment teams will go out first and see which areas are hit the hardest, then they will determine which areas need power restored first.
TRENDING STORIES:
Be weather aware: Severe storms likely this weekend with potential for large hail, tornadoes
Woman who claimed carjacker took Jeep with son in backseat now charged with filing false report
Gary Jones: Homegoing scheduled for teacher recovered from Lake Oconee
'If a pole is completely broken or down, it can often take 4 to 6 hours to replace that one pole, that includes the transformer, restringing the power line on it, and placing the pole back into the ground,' Kent said.
He said trucks can only carry one replacement pole at a time, so that also adds to the length of restoration.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Flash floods after extreme weather hits Kent
Storms have caused significant flooding and disruption in Kent. The extreme weather hit the county at around 22:00 BST on Friday, flooding homes and businesses in Dover. Michael Ford, from Dover, told the BBC it was the "worst storm in years". "I can't remember one that bad since I was a child and I am 43 now," he said, adding that it had been a "rough evening for some". Kent Police shut the A256 in Tilmanstone, where one driver was seen sitting on the roof of their car after getting stuck in flood water. Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it responded to flooding incidents in east Kent, including flooded properties on Folkestone Road and Maison Dieu Road in Dover. Firefighters worked to clear properties of flood water and provide assistance to affected residents, alongside volunteers and partner agencies, the service added. Stagecoach cancelled late-night bus services between Dover and Canterbury "due to severe flooding". The Met Office had warned that thunderstorms were likely across parts of Kent and Sussex from Friday evening. More than 30,000 lightning strikes were recorded overnight as powerful thunderstorms swept across the UK. Heavy showers and thunderstorms were expected to ease slightly throughout Saturday, with the driest and brightest weather in the South East. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. More than 30,000 lightning strikes recorded overnight Thunderstorms likely in parts of Kent and Sussex Met Office
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
UK hit by 30,000 lightning strikes as storms cause flooding and disruption
More than 30,000 lightning strikes were recorded overnight as powerful thunderstorms swept across the UK. The Met Office said the 'vast majority' of the lightning struck over the sea, but torrential downpours also hit land, causing significant flooding and disruption in Kent. A major storm reached the county at around 10pm on Friday, prompting an amber weather warning and leaving homes in Dover under water. Social media users reported mass blackouts as a result of the flooding. A mixed picture to start Saturday morning with heavy rain and thunderstorms pushing northwards across the country ⚠️ Sunnier spells developing in the south with scattered heavy, possibly thundery downpours developing 🌦️ — Met Office (@metoffice) June 13, 2025 One X user posted: 'That storm was the worst one I've ever seen. 'This area really got a direct hit. So much flooding across the Dover/Deal area and so many homes without power.' Another said: 'I've not seen rain like we've had tonight in a very long time. 'Local roads flooded, people's windows and doors leaking, and undoubtedly, storm overflows will mean sewage spills into the sea.' Kent Police shut down the A256 in Tilmanstone, where one driver was seen sitting on the roof of their car after getting stuck in floodwater. Bus operator Stagecoach cancelled services between Dover and Canterbury due to 'severe flooding'. The Met Office said on Saturday morning that 'areas of heavy and thundery rain continue to push northwards across the country' as yellow warnings remain in place. The storms come as the royal family prepares for Trooping the Colour in London, with the King and the Princess of Wales due to attend. The annual event includes a flypast over Buckingham Palace, which could be affected if weather conditions do not improve.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
‘Oh, it was bad': Lightning strike sets Alpharetta apartment building on fire, forces residents out
Two dozen residents of an Alpharetta apartment complex spent hours Friday loading up their belongings after lighting struck their building, sparking a fire. 'Oh, it was bad,' said Samantha Marvell, who lives at the Woodhaven at Park Bridge off Old Milton Parkway. She was working on her computer in Building 1000 when the sky darkened and thunder rumbled Tuesday afternoon. Then came a mighty crash. 'Just complete loud thunder and instant flash and then it was just raining,' she said. 'I don't like thunder, so hearing that loud crash, it made me very nervous. You could feel it, so I was shaking a bit.' Lightning had struck the roof of the apartment just above hers. A fire broke out, causing serious damage in the building's attic, but Alpharetta firefighters managed to keep the flames from spreading. Everybody in the 28 apartments got out safely, with no injuries. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'It was huge, huge smoke,' Marvell said. Ian Cassuto, a fire spokesperson for the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, said two apartments had moderate fire damage. All the others sustained smoke and water damage. Neighbors told Channel 2 Action News reporter Bryan Mims that repair work on the building is set to begin Monday, and everyone had to get their belongings out by this weekend. On Friday, a fence encircled the building and property restoration workers were on site. The property manager of Woodhaven at Park Bridge told Mims he couldn't comment about the management's response to the fire or discuss repairs. Residents said the management placed many of them in other units in the complex. Samantha's father, Trevor Marvell, lives with her in the apartment and described the lightning strike as 'just a big bang.' He said could salvage most of his belongings, but his furniture is likely ruined from the water damage. Mark Kersul just returned home Tuesday when he saw the billowing smoke and fire trucks. He and a friend, Richard Rotondo, worked together Friday to load up his possessions, which he'll put in a garage on the property. He said he spoke with the woman who lives in the apartment where the lightning struck. 'The lady said she felt it in her heart, her chest, when it hit,' he told Mims. Residents said the apartment management and the American Red Cross have been very responsive in wake of the fire. Samantha Marvell said her nerves were rattled and apartment was damaged, but she's grateful nobody was hurt. 'I mean, we just get everything done and keep on going,' she said. TRENDING STORIES: Man found guilty of killing Gwinnett County father at baby shower learns his fate Manhunt underway after woman, child shot, killed at DeKalb apartment complex Porch pirate 'syndicate': 10 charged with stealing $6M in electronics [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
