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Atlanta winter weather: What to do if you lose electricity

By
Published  January 7, 2025 9:46pm EST
Winter Weather
FOX 5 Atlanta

Snow, ice, or freezing rain: How do each form?

The FOX 5 Storm Team takes a look at the conditions needed to create one of the many winter precipitations.

The Brief

    • Georgia residents are preparing for a winter storm that may cause power outages, affecting daily life and safety.
    • Residents are advised to assemble an emergency kit with essentials like non-perishable food, water, and flashlights to mitigate the impact of potential outages.
    • During outages, residents should conserve heat, protect food, and stay informed through reliable sources like the FOX 5 Storm Team app.

ATLANTA - Georgia residents are gearing up for a winter storm expected to bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain later this week. Forecasters warn of potential power outages that could disrupt daily life and compromise safety, prompting officials to urge residents to take precautionary measures.

THE LATEST ON THIS WINTER STORM

While many homes in Georgia rely on natural gas for heating, a loss of power can still pose significant challenges.

Preparing for potential power outages

To minimize the impact of power outages, residents are encouraged to take the following steps:

• Assemble an emergency kit: Stock up on at least three days’ worth of non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and a manual can opener. These essentials can make a significant difference if power restoration is delayed.

• Improve home insulation: Inspect homes for drafts and seal gaps to retain heat. Insulating pipes can also prevent freezing and bursting, reducing the risk of water damage.

• Ensure alternative heating: Prepare safe options like fireplaces or wood stoves. If they have not been cleaned or inspected recently, that should be a priority. Generators should be placed outdoors and away from windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Staying safe during power outages

If power outages occur, residents are advised to follow these safety precautions:

• Conserve heat: Keep doors and windows closed to maintain warmth indoors. Layer clothing and use blankets to stay comfortable.

• Protect food: Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve food. A full freezer can keep items safe for up to 48 hours without power.

• Stay informed: Monitor weather updates through the FOX 5 Storm Team app and power restoration efforts through reliable sources. Georgia Power’s Outage & Storm Center and the Georgia EMCs Outage page provide real-time information.

• Seek warming shelters: In the event of prolonged outages, some communities may open warming shelters to provide relief from the cold. FOX 5 will provide a list of those on the website as they come in as well as the latest closures.

Officials stress the importance of preparedness as the storm approaches.

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST BY DOWNLOADING THE FREE FOX 5 STORM TEAM APP AND FOLLOWING @FOX5STORMTEAM ON X, FORMERLY TWITTER

MORE TIPS TO PREPARE FOR WINTER WEATHER: 

Did we miss something? Email us at newstipsatlanta@fox.com.

The Source: This article was compiled with information provided by Georgia Power, GEMA, FEMA, and previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports.

Winter WeatherConsumer