In a recent government meeting, officials provided updates on the response to recent storms, particularly Hurricane Francine and Hurricane Helene. The discussions highlighted the collaborative efforts of local teams and mutual aid from neighboring cities to restore power and assist affected areas.

Following Hurricane Francine in early September, a team of 18 workers was dispatched to Louisiana to aid in recovery efforts. The team faced unique challenges, including navigating difficult terrain and working around fallen power poles in swampy areas. Their efforts were met with gratitude from the local community, underscoring the importance of inter-city support during natural disasters.

As Hurricane Helene approached, officials detailed their preparedness measures. Anticipating severe weather, staff conducted a dry run to assign roles and coordinate with mutual aid groups from Bowling Green and Owensboro, Kentucky. Fortunately, the storm shifted eastward, sparing the city from significant damage. During the event, only 1,500 customers experienced outages, with the longest lasting just over three hours. The majority of these outages were concentrated on a single feeder line, which was impacted by fallen trees.

City departments collaborated effectively, with fire and street services assisting in clearing roads to facilitate quicker access for repair crews. Social media updates and website communications were also emphasized as vital tools for keeping the community informed.

After addressing local needs, the city sent additional crews to Sandersville and Douglas to assist with their recovery efforts, demonstrating a commitment to regional support. The meeting concluded with a note on the importance of accurate reporting in power outage maps, with Marietta Power being one of the few municipal utilities included in the national outage tracking system. This highlights the ongoing efforts to ensure that all affected areas receive the attention and resources they need during storm recovery.