Is the Power Out in Atlanta? How to Check, Respond, and Stay Informed

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and suddenly lose electricity, you’re definitely not alone in wondering: “Is power out in Atlanta, or is it just my house?”

This guide walks you through how to confirm an outage, who to contact, and what to do next—all specifically for people in the city of Atlanta and nearby metro communities.

First Step: Is It Just You or a Wider Power Outage?

Before assuming there’s a citywide power outage in Atlanta, do a quick check:

• Look around your home or building

  • Are some lights working and others not? It could be a tripped breaker.
  • Is only one room affected? That usually points to an internal electrical issue.

• Check outside

  • Are streetlights, nearby homes, or businesses dark?
  • Are traffic signals out at major intersections like Peachtree St, Ponce de Leon Ave, or around Downtown or Buckhead?

• Talk to neighbors

  • If multiple homes or units in your building have lost power, it’s likely a wider outage, not just your wiring.

If it seems bigger than your own property, it’s time to check with your utility provider.

Who Provides Power in Atlanta?

Most households and businesses inside the City of Atlanta and across much of metro Atlanta receive power from:

Georgia Power
Customer Service (general): 1-888-660-5890
Emergency/outage reporting (24/7): 1-888-891-0938

Some areas in and around Atlanta (especially in suburban or unincorporated parts of Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, or Gwinnett counties) may be served by:

• Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs) such as:
  • GreyStone Power
  • Cobb EMC
  • Sawnee EMC
• City utilities in surrounding municipalities (not typically inside Atlanta city limits, but nearby cities may differ)

Your specific provider will be listed on your electric bill or account portal.

How to Check if Power Is Out in Atlanta Right Now

Because power conditions change constantly, the most reliable way to know if there is an active power outage in Atlanta right now is to use your provider’s tools or call them directly.

1. Check Online Outage Maps

Most Atlanta-area utilities maintain a real-time outage map that shows:

• Whether your address is in an outage zone
• Estimated number of affected customers
• Estimated restoration time (if available)
• General cause (if known), such as storms, equipment damage, or accidents

For most residents inside Atlanta, this will be Georgia Power’s outage map.

If you’re not sure of your provider, check:

• Your latest electric bill
• Any welcome letter or account emails
• Your online account portal

2. Use Your Utility’s Phone System

If you don’t have internet access (common in a blackout), use your phone:

• Call your power company’s outage or emergency number.
• Many providers offer:
  • An automated system that identifies outages linked to your phone number
  • The option to report an outage by entering your account number or phone number

For Georgia Power customers in Atlanta:

• Outage/Emergency Line: 1-888-891-0938 (available 24/7)

☎️ Tip: Save your power company’s outage number in your contacts under something like “Electric – Outage” so you can find it quickly in the dark.

3. Check Local Atlanta News and Alerts

When a major outage affects big parts of the city—such as:

• Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, or Westside
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Large parts of Fulton, DeKalb, or Cobb County

It often appears on:

• Local TV news (Atlanta-based stations typically cover major outages)
• Radio (helpful if cell data is limited)
• City and county alert systems, such as emergency notifications from:
  • City of Atlanta
  • Fulton County Emergency Management
  • DeKalb County Emergency Management

These sources are especially useful if the outage is tied to severe weather, like strong thunderstorms or winter ice.

Common Reasons Power Goes Out in Atlanta

People in Atlanta typically experience outages due to:

• Severe thunderstorms and lightning

  • Especially during spring and summer
  • Can damage lines, transformers, and equipment

• High winds and fallen trees

  • Tree limbs can fall onto power lines in tree-lined neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Grant Park, Inman Park, and parts of Southwest Atlanta.

• Ice storms or winter weather

  • Less frequent, but when ice accumulates, it can weigh down branches and wires, causing widespread outages.

• Equipment failures or accidents

  • Aging infrastructure, transformer failures, or vehicle collisions with utility poles.

• Scheduled maintenance

  • Utilities sometimes schedule temporary outages for repairs or upgrades. Customers are usually notified in advance via email, mail, or account alerts.

Understanding the likely cause helps you estimate how long the power might be out and whether you should stay put or go somewhere else temporarily.

What To Do During a Power Outage in Atlanta

Once you’ve confirmed the power is out beyond just your home, focus on safety, communication, and preservation of your belongings.

1. Safety First

• Stay away from downed power lines

  • If you see a line down on a street like Cascade Rd, Moreland Ave, or Peachtree St, treat it as live and extremely dangerous.
  • Call your utility’s emergency number or 911 to report it.

• Use flashlights, not candles, if possible

  • Reduces the risk of house fires in dense neighborhoods or apartment buildings.

• Be cautious with generators

  • If you use a portable generator, keep it outside and away from windows to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.
  • Never plug a generator directly into your home’s wiring unless you have a properly installed transfer switch.

2. Preserve Food and Essentials

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed
  • Food typically stays cold longer if you limit opening doors.
• Group essential items in a cooler with ice if the outage looks like it will be extended.

3. Manage Comfort in Atlanta’s Climate

Atlanta can get very hot and humid in the summer and occasionally quite cold in winter, so:

• In hot weather:

  • Wear light clothing and stay hydrated.
  • If safe and open, consider going to a nearby cooling center, mall, or public space with power.

• In cold weather:

  • Layer clothing and use blankets.
  • Never use grills, ovens, or outdoor heaters indoors for heat.

For significant weather-related outages, local governments in metro Atlanta sometimes open cooling or warming centers; information is usually available via city or county information lines or local media.

When to Call 911 vs. Your Power Company

Knowing who to call can save time and keep emergency lines open.

Call 911 if:

• You see sparking wires, fires, or downed lines creating an immediate danger.
• There’s a medical emergency made worse by the outage (for example, loss of power to critical medical equipment without backup).

Call Your Utility if:

• You need to report an outage that hasn’t shown up on the outage map yet.
• You notice localized issues, like power flickering repeatedly on your street.

Do not assume someone else has already reported it—receiving multiple reports can actually help the utility pinpoint and prioritize issues.

Typical Power-Outage Experience in Atlanta

While each situation is different, many Atlanta residents find:

• Short outages (a few minutes to an hour) often result from minor equipment resets or quick repairs.
• Neighborhood-scale outages (a few streets) might last a couple of hours as crews isolate and fix the issue.
• City or county-wide events (such as major storms) can cause longer restoration times, especially when many lines are down and crews must prioritize:
  • Hospitals and medical centers
  • Critical infrastructure
  • Areas serving large numbers of customers

Utilities usually provide an estimated time of restoration, but it can change as crews assess damage.

Simple Atlanta Power Outage Checklist

Use this quick reference if the lights go out:

How Visitors to Atlanta Should Handle a Power Outage

If you’re visiting Atlanta—staying in a hotel in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near the airport—and the power goes out:

• Contact hotel staff first

  • They can confirm whether it’s a building issue or a neighborhood outage.
  • Many larger hotels have backup power for critical systems.

• Ask about alternate arrangements

  • Hotels may have designated gathering areas, limited lighting, or specific instructions.

• If you’re staying in short-term rentals or Airbnbs:

  • Reach out to your host for guidance.
  • Use your utility’s outage tools if you know which provider serves the property (often listed in house manuals).

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• The quickest way to answer “Is power out in Atlanta?” for your situation is to:

  • Check your breaker and neighbors
  • Use your utility’s outage map or phone line
  • Monitor local news for larger events

• For most people inside the city, Georgia Power is the primary contact; others might be served by regional EMCs or local utilities.

• Always prioritize safety around downed lines, proper generator use, and food preservation during an outage, especially given Atlanta’s heat, storms, and occasional ice.

By following these steps, you can quickly confirm whether the power is indeed out in Atlanta, understand what’s happening, and take practical next actions to stay informed and safe.