ATLANTA, Oct. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Georgia Power, Southern Company and Southern Company Gas charitable foundations will collectively donate $3 million to aid Hurricane Helene relief efforts. The historic, destructive storm has devastated communities across the Southeast. As the companies continue to rebuild and restore service to impacted communities, they stand together in the effort to help those communities affected by the widespread storm and flood damage.

• The Georgia Power Foundation will donate $1 million to local organizations serving Georgia's impacted communities.
• The Southern Company Foundation is donating $1 million to the American Red Cross to aid in their relief efforts across the Southeast. Additionally, the company will match up to $500,000 in employee donations to the American Red Cross.
• The Southern Company Gas Foundation will donate $500,000 to support local communities in recovery efforts throughout the state of Georgia through its Atlanta Gas Light Foundation.

In addition to helping customers, neighbors and communities affected by Hurricane Helene, the companies are providing emergency support to hundreds of employees impacted by the storm – many of whom are currently engaged in Georgia Power's statewide restoration efforts.

"During times of crisis like Hurricane Helene, we are able to tap the full strength of the Southern Company system to support our communities and colleagues," said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power. "At Georgia Power, our employees are citizens wherever we serve every day, and this commitment goes into overdrive when we're coming together to overcome extreme challenges. Alongside all Southern Company leadership, I am so inspired by the resilience of our communities and grateful to everyone engaged in this historic response. Our thoughts and prayers remain with all the families and customers impacted, and all our teams who remain on the ground right now responding."  

Georgia Power has restored power to more than 1.2 million customers following Hurricane Helene – more than 90% of all customers impacted by the most destructive hurricane in the company's history. The company has 20,000+ personnel engaged in response – including integrated teams from within the Southern Company family. Progress is ongoing and the company expects to reach 95% total restoration by Saturday.  

Crews continue to work their way through the power system efficiently and effectively to safely repair extreme damage and restore power to the most customers with every repair made. Efforts have further intensified to repair damage and restore service in the hardest hit areas with crews working around the clock in communities such as Augusta, Savannah and Valdosta.

In many cases, the damage to infrastructure is so severe that teams are essentially rebuilding sections of the grid and not just repairing specific elements. While damage and treacherous conditions remain, teams are working safely, efficiently and will remain in the field until every customer who can accept power is restored.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.7 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company, with 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in four states, natural gas distribution companies in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among the top energy companies in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.4 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and more than 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.

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SOURCE Georgia Power