Hurricane Helene, which made landfall late Thursday night in Florida’s Big Bend region, has left thousands across Georgia without power. The storm is continuing its trek through the state, bringing with it strong winds and heavy rain.
Power Outages
As of Friday morning, more than 528,000 Georgia customers are without power, according to Poweroutage.us. The outages are spread across several counties, including:
- Johnson County: More than 3,200 customers are without power.
- Laurens County: More than 3,000 customers are without power.
- Telfair County: Nearly 2,800 customers are without power.
- Washington County: Nearly 2,300 customers are without power.
- Wilcox County: More than 1,800 customers are without power.
Power Outage Updates
The number of customers without power has been fluctuating throughout the morning as crews work to restore service.
- 3:19 a.m.: More than 528,000 Georgia customers are without power.
- 3 a.m.: More than 496,000 Georgia customers are without power.
- 2:41 a.m.: More than 463,000 Georgia customers are without power.
- 2:34 a.m.: More than 244,000 Georgia customers are without power, with 31,999 of those outages in Lowndes County.
- 1:01 a.m.: More than 172,000 Georgia customers are without power, with 31,998 of those outages in Lowndes County.
Road Closures and Damage
In addition to power outages, there have been numerous reports of road closures and structural damage.
- Laurens County: The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office has reported trees down “all over the county.” Residents are being urged to stay off the roadways.
- Monroe County: The Monroe County EMA is asking drivers to avoid the area of N Indian Springs Dr at Mize St. due to standing water.
- Macon-Bibb County: The Macon-Bibb Emergency Management Agency has reported that North Wesleyan Drive and Lamar Road are closed due to downed trees.
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Dodge County: The Dodge County Fire Department has reported several road closures due to severe water damage, including:
- Isham Springs Rd between Rocky Springs Rd and Free Gift Church Rd
- Benevolence Road
- Louis Harrel Rd
- Friendship Baptist Rd from Fair Haven Rd to Hwy 117
- Yancey Rd
- Milan Eastman Rd from Hwy 166 to Sweet Home Church Rd
- Wheeler County: The Wheeler County Coroner has reported two fatalities after a tornado in Wheeler County.
Stay Informed
For the latest updates on Hurricane Helene, including power outages and road closures, please visit the websites of your local news station and utility provider. Several utilities in Northeast Georgia and Southeast Georgia have outage maps where you can monitor power outages, as well as estimated resolution times.
- Georgia Power: https://www.georgiapower.com/
- Excelsior EMC: https://www.excelsioremc.com/
- Okefenoke Rural Electric Membership Corporation: https://www.okefenokeermc.com/
- Satilla Rural Electric Membership Corporation: https://www.satillaremc.com/
You can also follow your local news stations on social media for updates.
Safety Tips
It is important to stay safe during a hurricane. Here are some tips to follow:
- Stay informed: Keep up to date on the latest weather reports and advisories.
- Be prepared: Have a plan in place in case you need to evacuate. Have a go-bag ready with essential supplies, such as food, water, medications, and a first-aid kit.
- Stay inside: If you are in an area that is experiencing high winds or heavy rain, stay inside and avoid driving.
- Stay away from downed power lines: Downed power lines can be extremely dangerous. Never touch a downed power line. If you see a downed power line, report it to your local utility company immediately.
- Be cautious of flooding: Flooding can be dangerous. If you see water rising, move to higher ground.
- Check on your neighbors: Check on your elderly neighbors, especially if they live alone.
A Reminder to Be Safe
As Hurricane Helene continues to move through Georgia, it is important to stay safe and informed. Please follow the advice of local authorities and stay tuned for updates from your local news station and utility provider.
