As Winter Storm Gianna exits the state, strong winds and cold temperatures are moving in behind. While there is no expectation of widespread power outages as severe as what was experienced during Winter Storm Fern, outages are starting to increase across the region.
Up from about 4,300 early Saturday morning, Georgia Power and the state’s electric cooperatives reported a combined total of around 13,500 customers without electricity statewide by late afternoon. Most of those outages were concentrated in the metro Atlanta area.
Georgia Power reported some 6,700 customers without electricity and Georgia EMC reported 6,800 as of 4:45 p.m. on Jan. 31.
Those outages could increase as wind speeds pick up overnight. Gusts of 60 mph were recorded at Jackson Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport Saturday afternoon. In the mountains, gusts of 30 to 40 mph are expected, with higher gusts in the higher elevations.
