Southern Company system prepares for Hurricane Michael
Hurricane Michael is expected to hit the Gulf Coast Wednesday, Oct. 10 as a category 4 storm with wind speeds up to 145 miles per hour. Southern Company is actively monitoring the storm for updated forecasts in preparation for the worst.
More than 1 million power outages are expected in the areas in the path of the storm. Severe surge damage is possible for structures on the coast in the immediate high impact area. Widespread street flooding causing major travel delays is likely in the moderate impact area.
Crews from 19 states are mobilizing and preparing to respond as part of the EEI mutual assistance program.
- Nearly 1,200 Gulf Power employees and 330 contractors are in storm mode. They’ve also secured more than 2,240 outside resources to assist with restoration and more are available if needed. Mississippi Power has deployed 100 crew members to assist on the Gulf.
- Between 600 and 700 Alabama Power and contract crews are being deployed to the southeast area of the state to support Alabama Power teams already on the ground.
- Georgia Power is actively monitoring the storm, adjusting plans for response and coordinating with emergency partners, including the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service.
- Southern Power and Southern Company Gas are closely watching the path of the storm and are preparing for any potential impact.
- PowerSecure’s Service has over 40 field engineers stationed within four hours of the areas expected to be impacted and approximately 10 techs stationed in the Panhandle area ready to respond to generator system issues as the need arises. Their Utility Services team is prepared and have on standby 550-line resource crew members, 350 disaster assessment team members and 80 tree trimming crew members awaiting assignment to support our utility partners.
The safety of customers, employees and communities is paramount to all other concerns. As Hurricane Michael develops, create a family storm plan, monitor your local forecasts before heading outdoors and have an emergency first aid kit ready. Visit EEI for more hurricane safety tips.
