Atlanta-based Southern Company and its subsidiaries – including Georgia Power, Alabama Power and Mississippi Power – began monitoring Hurricane Sally as it grew in the Gulf of Mexico and its path became clear, prompting emergency declarations by the governors of Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, and ultimately Georgia.
The slow-moving Hurricane approached the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama before it made landfall late Wednesday. According to the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center, maximum sustained winds reached more than 105 mph with higher gusts, and Sally, as expected, maintained its strength as a hurricane when it moved onshore along the north-central Gulf coast.
Sally brought dangerous weather conditions – including torrential rain, strong winds, life-threatening storm surge and flooding and possible tornadoes – in a region stretching from the western Panhandle to southeastern Louisiana. Very heavy rainfall accompanied the storm and produced widespread and life-threatening flash flooding.
Southern Company subsidiaries Georgia Power, Alabama Power, and Mississippi Power urged citizens in Sally’s path to prepare as employees responded to the severe weather. Mississippi Power opened its Storm Center ahead of the storm’s arrival. With forecasts of an eastward turn toward Georgia after landfall, Georgia Power began monitoring the storm, and adjusting plans for response and coordinating with emergency partners.
“We are fully prepared to respond,” said Steve Kirkham, general manager of Power Delivery for Alabama Power’s Mobile Division. “We are going to respond just as quickly and as safely as possible.”
Fran Forehand, vice president of customer service and operations At Mississippi Power, said the company began tracking Sally weeks ago, and was also tracking Laura and Marco in the Gulf
“It became clear that Sally had the potential to be a very serious storm for us,” she said. “We had a very good plan that was tested with Laura and Marco, and I know that helped our team with their readiness and response.”
Preparations for Sally came amid a busy storm season that included assisting utilities in the Northeast, Midwest, Texas, and Louisiana through the industry’s mutual assistance program.
Southern Company crews recently returned home from Texas and Louisiana after power restoration in the wake of Hurricane Laura’s devastation. Southern Company also rendered aid following Tropical Storm Isaias and a violent derecho wind event that tore through the Midwest.
In the midst of its restoration efforts, the Southern Company leaders continued to emphasize continued adherence to protective measures to keep workers safe from the coronavirus.
