Georgia state of emergency extended, gas tax suspended amid Helene recovery

ATLANTA - Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp extended the state's emergency status on Tuesday in response to the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene. The state of emergency, which allows state agencies to allocate resources for relief efforts, will now remain in effect until just before midnight on Oct. 9, unless renewed again. 

The initial declaration was made on Sept. 24, when Tropical Storm Helene threatened the state. Kemp issued the executive order citing concerns over the potential disruption to supply chains and the wellbeing of Georgia residents.

In addition to the state of emergency, the governor issued a suspension of fuel taxes, a step taken to alleviate economic pressure on residents and aid in the movement of goods and services to affected areas. 

The governor's authority to act during this crisis stems from several state laws which grant him the power to assume control of all civil forces and take actions necessary to protect the civilian population. 

Kemp reiterated the need for swift and decisive action. 

The emergency declarations provide state agencies with the legal framework to mobilize resources and personnel in response to the ongoing hurricane recovery efforts. 

Georgia Power rebuilding grid after Helene 

Georgia Power continues restoration efforts following Hurricane Helene, which has caused unprecedented destruction to the state's infrastructure. The storm, described as the most destructive in the company’s history, has left extensive damage in its wake, affecting hundreds of thousands of customers. 

As of Tuesday morning, Georgia Power crews are working to restore power to fewer than 300,000 customers, many of whom reside in some of the hardest-hit areas, including Valdosta, Augusta, and Savannah. "We are inspired by the resilience and dedication shown by our communities, our crews, and our partners," the company said in a statement. 

The damage caused by Hurricane Helene is historic, with initial estimates pointing to over 8,000 power poles that need repair or replacement and more than 1,500 transformers that must be replaced. Additionally, 3,200 trees have fallen onto power lines, and approximately 21,000 spans of wire—equivalent to 1,000 miles—require repair. 

Despite these challenges, Georgia Power has already restored electricity to about one million customers affected by the storm. The company expressed its gratitude for the patience of the impacted communities, acknowledging the immense difficulties the storm has posed. 

To further assist in recovery, Georgia Power has suspended service disconnections for all customers. "We are committed to supporting our communities in every possible way during these challenging times," the company noted, emphasizing the importance of ensuring reliable service during the recovery process. 

Customers not directly impacted by the storm are encouraged to utilize online self-service options to manage accounts and make payments, allowing Georgia Power to prioritize support for those most affected by Hurricane Helene. 

In its statement, Georgia Power reaffirmed its commitment to its motto of being "A Citizen Wherever We Serve" as it continues to navigate the complexities of the restoration effort. 

A real-time power outage map is available on the Georgia Power website. 

Georgia EMCs continue power restoration 

Georgia’s Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) are continuing efforts to restore power to thousands of residents affected by Hurricane Helene, with 184,000 members still without electricity as of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. This number is down from the 435,000 outages initially reported following the storm’s impact. In the hardest-hit areas, particularly on the eastern side of the state, EMCs are not just restoring power but are in the process of rebuilding entire transmission lines. 

"The effort is a rebuild, not just restoration," EMC officials said, emphasizing the scale of the work needed. They also asked for patience, as many more days of outages are expected in the most impacted areas. 

Georgia’s EMCs manage over 196,000 miles of electric lines across the state, enough to stretch from California to Maine 62 times. Nearly all of the state’s 41 EMCs reported damage from the hurricane, with some in eastern Georgia experiencing complete devastation. In these areas, EMC crews are removing debris, replacing broken poles, and restringing miles of wire before power can be fully restored. 

Georgia Transmission Corp. is also making significant progress, reporting that more than 150 substations have been reenergized out of nearly 200 that were taken offline at the height of the storm. Of the 117 damaged transmission lines serving EMCs, approximately 90 have been restored. 

"Damage to transmission lines was extensive and widespread," Georgia Transmission officials said. They noted that much of the damage might not be visible to the public, especially in remote areas that require more time and specialized equipment for repair. 

"While EMC members may not see Georgia Transmission crews on their street, they can be assured work to restore the power grid in their area is progressing," the statement added. 

Crews from across the country have arrived to assist Georgia’s EMCs in their rebuilding efforts. States that have sent support include Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and Alabama. Additionally, EMCs in western Georgia are sending personnel to aid their counterparts in the eastern part of the state. 

EMCs are urging residents who rely on electricity for medical needs to consider relocating temporarily if possible. "For those that require electricity for medical needs, EMCs recommend securing a generator or seeking help at a local medical facility," officials advised. 

Safety remains a top priority as restoration efforts continue. Residents are reminded to stay away from downed power lines and keep a safe distance from working crews. For those using generators, EMCs have provided several safety tips, including never operating generators indoors and ensuring they are not connected to power lines, which could result in dangerous backfeed. 

A real-time map of outages, updated every 15 minutes, is available at Georgia EMC Outage Map. Customers can report outages and get detailed updates by contacting their local EMC provider. 

Georgia EMC represents 41 electric cooperatives, providing electricity to 4.4 million people across 73 percent of the state. For more information, visit www.georgiaemc.com. 

Georgia Transmission Corp. owns more than 5,000 miles of high-voltage lines and over 780 substations, delivering electricity to EMCs that serve more than 4.5 million Georgians. More details can be found at gatransmission.com. 

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