Snowstorm doesn’t take a toll on power service across CSRA

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - There were concerns that this week’s snowstorm might weigh down some trees already weakened by Hurricane Helene, causing power outages.

That hasn’t been a problem here in the CSRA.

The number of power outages is negligible in our region, with only one customer in Richmond County lacking service Wednesday afternoon in the aftermath of Tuesday’s snowfall.

That’s not the case elsewhere, with several thousand lack power in parts of coastal Georgia.

In fact, up to 50,000 Georgia customers didn’t have service Wednesday morning.

Power providers had said they were ready, and that seems to have been the case.

Georgia Power employees monitor conditions from a storm center where they check radar, keep an eye on news reports and track outrages.

The utility has been preparing for peak demand for months.

If your power does go out, report the outage online at https://www.georgiapower.com/about/safety/outages-storm-center.html?cid=redirect_vanity_storm. That’s where you also track the status of repairs on an outage map.

Meanwhile, electric cooperatives across the state took measures to prepare for the extreme temperatures and the possibility of snow and ice.

Thanks to mutual aid agreements, some crews from the northern part of the state out of the storm’s projected path relocated to co-ops in the southern half to assist in power restoration, if needed.

Customers should report power outages by ing their local provider, like Jefferson Energy, which provides power across a swath of the CSRA.

A map showing current outages by region, updated every 15 minutes, can be found at http://www.georgiaemc.com/outages.

Across the Savannah River in South Carolina, Dominion Energy said it was ready to respond to anything that happened.

Tips to help minimize the impact of cold, winter weather on your power bill include:

• Optimize heating – , heating can for 50 percent of a home’s typical winter energy usage. Enhance the efficiency of your heating unit by changing filters monthly, or every three months for pleated filters. Make sure heating vents and return air s are unobstructed by furniture or drapes.
• Check your insulation – Keep heat where it belongs by ensuring proper insulation in attics and walls. Replace any cracked or peeling caulk or weatherstripping around doors and windows to save up to 10 percent on energy usage and reduce cold air infiltration into your home.
• Adjust your thermostat – Set your manual thermostat to 68 degrees or lower. Each degree lower can result in a 3-4% decrease in energy consumption. Or take advantage of programmable thermostat features, if available, to save energy throughout the day.
• Utilize natural heat – Open blinds, shades on sunny days to naturally warm your home at no cost. Close them at night to minimize the chill from cold windows.

Safety tips from utilities:

• Be careful with generators – Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and all safety guidelines to prevent the backfeeding of powerlines, protecting electric utility employees from serious or fatal injuries
• Stay away from downed power lines – Winter weather and the potential for ice accumulation can cause trees and limbs to fall on power lines. Always assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous.

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• What can renters do if pipes burst due to winter weather?
• Don’t get burned by cold-weather home repair scams
• Local fire crews warn of heating hazards in cold weather
• How to spot warning signs of frostbite, hypothermia
• Protecting your most precious plants from winter’s wrath
• Stay inside if you can during cold snap, experts say
• Winter weather myths debunked to keep you safe
• If your pipes freeze or break, follow this advice from experts
• How to get help with your heating bill in the CSRA
• What to know if you’ll be driving in subfreezing weather
• How to protect your heating system during freezing temperatures
• How to stay warm on a budget and beat the cold weather
• Trouble from burst pipes can linger well beyond a freeze
• Keep your pipes from bursting in freezing weather
• How to prepare your home for major freeze

Georgia Power says customers can stay safe and informed through:

• Outage alerts – Customers subscribed to our free Georgia Power Outage Alert service will receive personalized notifications and updates via text message. Check that your number is up to date to receive the latest information.
• Social media – Follow Georgia Power across Facebook, Instagram and X for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and more.
• Outage and storm center – Available at https://www.georgiapower.com/about/safety/outages-storm-center.html?cid=redirect_vanity_storm, customers can visit this site to check the outage map as well as their information is updated to receive Outage Alerts, report and check the status of outages, and access useful safety tips and information. Customers can also report and check the status of an outage 24 hours a day by ing Georgia Power at 888-891-0938.
• Georgia Power Mobile App – the Georgia Power mobile app for Apple and Android devices to access storm and outage information on the go.

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