Cobb County

‘It sounded like firecrackers’: Power surge causes thousands in damage for Cobb homeowners

By Michele Newell
By Michele Newell

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A power surge went through dozens of homes in East Cobb on Monday night, causing thousands of dollars in damage for a number of homeowners.

Channel 2′s Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell spoke to neighbors who live at Sentinel Lake and said their subdivision was impacted.

“It sounded like firecrackers,” homeowner Paul Griffin said.

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“I started smelling smoke, electrical smoke,” Jason Colick said.

“By the time it was over about 40% of our breakers had tripped,” Pevel Beker said.

“I looked outside and I saw it was happening to everybody in the neighborhood and everything just went black,” Griffin said.

Griffin has to replace his lighting system.

“All the lights that we normally use are in the system, that’s been fried,” Griffin said.

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Griffin is trying to handle with the situation the best way he can.

“Frustration (is) not a very productive emotion to have so I’m just trying to deal with it the best we can,” he said.

Griffin’s neighbors have even more damage.

“Had to get an electrician out here, that was like a $200 expense and then the AC unit. Unfortunately the module blew,” Colick said.

Colick said it will cost $10,000 to $11,000 to get the module unit replaced.

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Colick’s neighbor had to replace a furnace and said he has a long list of damages.

“We are talking $6,000, $7,000 of damage that I found so far. I’d like to be compensated for the damage,” Beker said.

Georgia Power released this statement about the incident:

“We are aware of the incident that occurred on December 12th involving both Cobb EMC and Georgia Power lines. We are in touch with Cobb EMC, have investigated the incident and have determined that an act of nature (potentially lightning) beyond our control caused our lines to contact lines serving some Cobb EMC customers in the area. While we understand, and apologize, for any inconvenience or damage caused by this act of nature, we won’t be able to reimburse residents for damage incurred at their homes or business. Any customers with questions can contact us at 1-888-660-5890,” Georgia Power representative Marie Bertot said.

Cobb EMC released this statement about the incident:

“Monday night we became aware of a service interruption which we then investigated. According to the investigation, a Georgia Power line dropped into our line creating a brief overvoltage situation. We have been contacted by less than 30 members who have been impacted by this incident; as well as a representative of an affected HOA. In response, we have provided the HOA representative an email to share, which includes the phone number and instructions provided by Georgia Power for affected members to file a claim,” Mike Codichini, Member and Public Relations director for Cobb EMC said.

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