Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/1511253
7 Alabama Power crews support Hurricane Idalia restoration in Georgia After Hurricane Idalia made landfall Aug. 30 in Florida and traveled into the Peach State, employees at Alabama Power and other Southern Company system workers took swift action to restore power. More than 700 workers from Alabama, including company line crews, helped Georgia Power restore electric service after the storm, which caused about 150,000 Georgia Power customers to lose power. The hurricane hit Florida's Big Bend with sustained winds of 125 mph. Later classified as a post-tropical cyclone, Idalia continued through Georgia and into South Carolina before exiting into the Atlantic Ocean. Georgia Power was ready to face the damages head on, positioning line crews, engineers and damage assessment teams. About 350 Alabama Power employees were joined by 360 contract workers in helping restore electricity in Georgia. More than 4,500 personnel worked in Georgia Power's service territory to restore power. By Aug. 31, line crews had restored power to about 80,000 Georgia Power customers, said Corey Sweeney, manager of Storm Center Operations at Alabama Power. The crews continued working in hard-hit areas along the Georgia coast, including Savannah and Valdosta. During the past several years, Sweeney noted, Alabama Power has received numerous Edison Electric Institute awards for assisting in storm restorations throughout the nation. "Our company line crews and workers are well-recognized in the electric industry for their dedication and skill, despite working in some of the toughest conditions after a storm or hurricane," said Sweeney, who has worked at Alabama Power for more than 30 years. "We're very proud of our employees' hard work in helping restore power during a time of need, particularly for our sister company, Georgia Power, after this major storm event." By Donna Cope APPRECIATION Photos courtesy Southern Company Communications In August, more than 700 workers from Alabama helped restore power in Georgia after Hurricane Idalia.