To many, the only thing more frustrating than a power outage is lack of information during a power outage. How long will the electricity be out? Why did the lights go out? Who else is without juice?
Now, Georgia Power customers can find answers at the utility’s online “storm center” and in a native mobile app built by Savannah Morning News & savannahnow.com The storm center website, accessible at www.georgiapower.com, features an interactive outage map. The tool includes detailed information on outages and is updated every 10 minutes.
The outage map launched in June, shortly after the company partnered with Savannah Morning News to sponsor the "Storm Guide by savannahnow.com" mobile app in preparation for the 2013 hurricane season.“Most people appreciate some information that they can work from,” Georgia Power spokesman John Kraft said. “And with all the mobile technology out there today, this initiative has been well-received.”
The outage map is mobile-enhanced and accessible by smartphone and tablets, solving an obvious conundrum: Without power, how do you check the map on the computer? The utility chose to focus on online functionality of the storm center rather than design it as an app.
Those suffering an outage can report the loss of power through the site as well.
The outage map is one example of the benefits of the digital meters the utility installed last year. Outages are mapped by “pinging” meters, which involves sending out a signal that the meter echoes if it has power.
The system allows Georgia Power to chart how many customers are without electricity. The outage map tool displays that data and gives information specific to identified “outage events.” The “estimated restoration” time has proven the most popular thus far, Kraft said.
“But keep in mind, it is only an estimate,” said Marian Teuton, Georgia Power’s local customer service manager. “We are giving customers the best information we can.”