JACKSON COUNTY, Ga. — Local emergency preparations are underway ahead of storms that could bring down trees and power lines.
While the impacts of Hurricane Nate were not as significant as Irma, local utility crews wanted to be ready for anything.
Jackson EMC brought in extra help to adequately access problem areas.
Crews working in the control center are tracking the storm as it heads for metro Atlanta.
Almost a month after Tropical Storm Irma swept through Georgia, Jackson County started bracing for another round of powerful wind.
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“That’s the one thing you learned from Irma is that you cannot be too prepared,” said Joe Dorough with Jackson EMC.
Dorough said with these storms it’s important to get out of state crews in place ahead of the weather to improve response times.
“When a hurricane comes, everyone is competing for the same resources to get people here to help us out,” he said.
A team of contractors from Florida hit the road around 6 a.m. Saturday and said they planned to work 16-hour shifts starting Sunday. Their job is to restore power, but their priority is keeping people safe from dangerous elements.
“We’ll get the lights back on. You just don’t want anybody to get hurt,” Dorough said.
Johnna Wilson said she remembers when Irma ravaged through power lines and trees. Her plan is to stay inside and let utility crews do their jobs.
“They were very quick to start working on the power and the trees being down, immediately,” she said.
Cox Media Group
