Atlanta Power Outage: What To Do, Who To Call, and How to Stay Prepared

Power outages in Atlanta, Georgia can happen in blazing summer heat, during severe thunderstorms, or even on a clear day due to equipment issues or accidents. Whether you live in Midtown, Buckhead, South Fulton, or are just visiting near Hartsfield-Jackson, it helps to know how Atlanta power outages work, how to report them, and how to stay safe until the lights come back on.

Who Handles Power Outages in Atlanta?

Most homes and businesses in the Atlanta area get electricity from:

• Georgia Power – the primary electric utility for most of Atlanta
• Electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) – such as Cobb EMC, GreyStone Power, Sawnee EMC, and others in surrounding metro counties
• City of Fairburn, City of College Park, and a few other municipal systems in some areas

For most Atlanta addresses inside the city, your outage will be handled by Georgia Power.

How to Tell Who Your Provider Is

Check:

• The name on your electric bill
• Your online account or app (if you’ve set one up)
• Leasing or closing documents that mention utilities

If you’re not sure and the power is out, ask a neighbor in the same building or street which company they use.

How to Check a Power Outage in Atlanta

When the lights go out, most Atlantans want to know: Is it just my house, or the whole neighborhood?

1. Use Your Utility’s Outage Map or Tools

Most major providers serving Atlanta offer real-time outage information:

• Georgia Power – online outage map and reporting tools (web and mobile app)
• Cobb EMC, GreyStone Power, Sawnee EMC, and others – usually provide outage maps and text/phone reporting

These tools typically show:

• Areas currently affected
• Estimated restoration times (when available)
• Whether a crew is assigned or en route
• The number of customers without power in your area

Because addresses and web tools can change, look at your most recent bill or utility’s printed materials for the official web address or app name.

2. Check With Neighbors

If you:

• Still have Wi‑Fi but no power, it may be a partial failure or breaker issue.
• Have no power, no Wi‑Fi, and the streetlights are out, it’s likely a larger grid problem.

Ask neighbors (in person, text, or neighborhood group) if they are experiencing the same thing. This helps you:

• Confirm it’s not just your breaker panel or meter
• Decide whether to call an electrician or your power company

How to Report a Power Outage in Atlanta

If your outage doesn’t show on your provider’s map or app, it’s important to report it so crews can track the problem.

Below are typical contact methods (always confirm with your current bill or provider in case numbers change):

Georgia Power (Primary Provider for Atlanta)

Common ways to report:

• Online or App: Log in to your Georgia Power account and use the outage reporting feature
• By Phone (Outages & Emergencies): 1‑888‑891‑0938 (often listed for outage reporting)
• Text/SMS: Many Georgia Power customers can report via text if enrolled in text alerts

Use your account number, phone number, or address to identify your location.

Metro Atlanta EMCs (Examples)

If you are outside the immediate City of Atlanta or in nearby metro counties, your provider might be:

• Cobb EMC (primarily in Cobb and surrounding areas)
• GreyStone Power (Douglas, Paulding, and parts of Fulton & Cobb)
• Sawnee EMC, Jackson EMC, etc.

Most EMCs allow reporting:

• Via automated phone system
• Through a mobile app
• With text-to-report features for registered users

Check the customer service number on your bill for the most accurate and up-to-date contact.

When to Call 911 vs. the Power Company

Knowing who to call can prevent delays and keep you safe.

Call 911 Immediately If:

• You see a downed power line, especially on a street in Atlanta, near MARTA tracks, sidewalks, or parks
• There’s a fire, explosion, or sparking transformer
• You smell smoke or see arcing wires after a storm or car crash

In the City of Atlanta, 911 connects you to Atlanta Police Department (APD) and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD), who can secure the scene and coordinate with the utility.

Call Your Utility (Not 911) If:

• Your house or block loses power without visible danger
• Your neighbors are out too and the outage is already on the map
• Lights flicker or power cycles off and on, but there is no smoke, fire, or downed lines

Common Causes of Power Outages in Atlanta

Atlanta’s climate and infrastructure lead to some recurring patterns:

1. Thunderstorms and Lightning

Spring and summer storms can bring:

• Lightning strikes to transformers, substations, or trees
• High winds that knock branches onto lines
• Heavy rain that leads to localized flooding and equipment trips

These often cause short to moderate outages, especially in tree‑dense neighborhoods like Virginia‑Highland, Druid Hills, and parts of Southwest Atlanta.

2. Hurricanes and Tropical Systems

Even when a storm makes landfall on the coast, remnants often reach metro Atlanta, bringing:

• Widespread wind damage
• Days-long repair work if many lines are down

3. Ice and Winter Weather

Atlanta doesn’t see heavy snow often, but ice storms can cause:

• Coated tree limbs to break onto lines
• Slippery roads that slow repair crews
• Longer outages, especially in areas with overhead lines

4. Vehicle Accidents and Construction

Collisions with power poles or construction crews hitting underground cables can cause hyper-local outages near:

• Busy corridors like Peachtree Street, I‑285 interchanges, or Buford Highway
• Construction-heavy areas like Midtown, West Midtown, and BeltLine-adjacent neighborhoods

5. Equipment Failure or Overload

During extreme heat waves, air conditioning use can stress parts of the grid, occasionally leading to localized equipment failures.

What to Do During a Power Outage in Atlanta

Immediate Safety Steps

1. Check for safety hazards

   • Look for sparks, burning smells, or visible damage inside your home.
   • If you see a downed line outside, stay far away and call 911.

2. Turn off sensitive electronics

   • Unplug TVs, computers, gaming systems, routers.
   • Leave one light on so you know when power returns.

3. Preserve refrigerator and freezer cold

   • Keep doors closed as much as possible.
   • A closed refrigerator generally stays cool for several hours; a full freezer stays frozen longer.

4. Use flashlights, not candles

   • Candles increase fire risk, especially in older homes or apartments.

5. Monitor updates

   • Use a charged phone, battery-powered radio, or car radio to get information.
   • If cell signal is weak, sometimes stepping outside or near a window helps.

Staying Cool or Warm Without Power

Atlanta’s climate makes heat the main concern:

• In hot months, move to lower floors if you’re in a multi-level home.
• Close blinds or curtains on sun-facing windows.
• Use battery-powered fans if you have them.
• Stay hydrated and consider visiting:
  • Atlanta-Fulton County libraries
  • City of Atlanta recreation centers
  • Shopping centers or public buildings that still have power

In cold snaps:

• Layer clothing and use blankets or sleeping bags.
• Avoid using outdoor grills, generators, or gas stoves indoors; they can cause carbon monoxide buildup.

Food, Medicine, and Special Equipment Concerns

Food Safety Basics

If your power is out in Atlanta for more than a few hours:

• Try to avoid opening the fridge/freezer.
• Discard any perishable foods that:
  • Have been above refrigerator temperature for several hours
  • Have a strange odor or appearance

When in doubt, it’s safer to throw it out than risk illness.

Medical Devices and Power-Dependent Equipment

If you or someone in your household uses:

• Home oxygen concentrators
• Powered mobility devices
• Dialysis at home or other powered medical equipment

Consider:

• Keeping a backup battery if possible
• Knowing the closest hospital or urgent care with reliable backup power

Some major Atlanta medical facilities (for reference) with established backup systems include:

• Grady Memorial Hospital – 80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Emory University Hospital Midtown – 550 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Piedmont Atlanta Hospital – 1968 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

For medical emergencies during an outage, call 911.

Using Generators Safely in Atlanta Neighborhoods

Portable generators can be useful during prolonged outages, but misusing them can be extremely dangerous.

✅ Safe Practices

• Run generators outside, at a safe distance from windows, doors, and vents.
• Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and never overload the unit.

❌ Never Do This

• Do not run generators inside a home, garage, or enclosed porch.
• Do not plug a generator directly into a wall outlet without a proper transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician.
• Do not place generators too close to neighbors’ windows; carbon monoxide can travel.

Because Atlanta’s older neighborhoods may have tighter lot lines and shared walls, be especially mindful of neighbors in apartments, duplexes, and townhomes.

Atlanta-Specific Tips: Apartments, Condos, and High-Rises

Many Atlantans live in multi-unit buildings, especially around Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and near MARTA stations.

If You Live in a High-Rise or Large Complex

• Elevators may stop working during an outage; avoid using them when power flickers.
• Garage gates may not open automatically; know the manual release procedure or alternate pedestrian exit.
• Some buildings have emergency generators only for:
  • Hallway lights
  • Fire alarms
  • One elevator for emergency use

Check with your property manager or HOA about:

• What areas stay powered in an outage
• Any building-specific procedures (e.g., backup water, stairwell lighting)

How Atlanta Responds to Large-Scale Power Outages

During major events, local government and utilities often coordinate to prioritize:

• Hospitals and medical centers
• Fire stations, police precincts, and 911 centers
• Water treatment facilities
• Major transportation hubs like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

The City of Atlanta and Fulton County may open cooling centers or warming centers for vulnerable residents when outages happen during extreme temperatures. Locations and hours can vary, so:

• Check local news radio or TV
• Call Atlanta City Hall’s general information line or Fulton County customer service for guidance
• Look for updates from official city or county channels

Preparing for Future Power Outages in Atlanta

A bit of planning goes a long way, especially in a city known for strong storms and hot summers.

Basic Home Outage Kit

Consider keeping:

• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Portable phone charger / power bank
• Bottled water and some shelf-stable food
• A simple first-aid kit
• Printed list of important phone numbers (utility, landlord, medical contacts)

Important Phone Numbers to Keep Handy (Examples)

Because phone numbers can change over time, rely on the ones printed on your latest bill or official notice.

If You Work From Home in Atlanta

Power outages can interrupt remote work:

• Consider a small backup power supply (UPS) for your modem/router and laptop.
• Save important documents locally and in the cloud so you can access them from another location with power, such as:
  • A co-working space
  • A library or coffee shop with reliable power
• Communicate with your employer about Atlanta storm seasons and outages if they affect availability.

What Visitors to Atlanta Should Know

If you’re staying in a hotel near Downtown, Midtown, the Airport, or Perimeter:

• Most larger hotels have backup generators for basic lighting and safety systems.
• Ask the front desk:
  • How long they expect the outage to last
  • Whether elevators and keycard systems will stay operational
• Keep your phone charged when you’re out during stormy seasons in case an outage happens after you return.

If you’re renting a short-term vacation property in Atlanta:

• Ask the host in advance:
  • Who the electric provider is
  • Where the breaker panel is located
  • Any special instructions if power goes out

Knowing how power outages work in Atlanta, who to call, and how to stay safe means you can handle the next blackout with much less stress. Keeping a few simple supplies on hand and saving your utility’s outage number in your phone can make all the difference the next time the lights go out anywhere in the Atlanta area.