Cobb EMC has a 99.99 percent reliability rating. This means that your power is almost always on. Despite the near perfect score, a power outage can happen at any time, and it’s often caused by something out of the co-op’s control. Whether the lights go out because of a storm, animals or equipment failure, we encourage our members to be prepared for any situation. 

Before a power outage: ​

• Keep an emergency preparedness kit stocked, including flashlights, batteries, cash, supplies and non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food.
• Buy ice or freeze water-filled containers to help keep food cold during an outage.
• Make sure you have a backup source of power to charge anything battery-operated or power dependent, like a medical device or your cell phone.
• Keep your gas tank full.
• Store copies of personal documents (insurance policies, birth certificates, medical information) together in one easy-to-find, secure place. 

During a power outage: 

• Never use a generator, grill or camp stove inside your home, garage or inside any enclosed space. These devices can release carbon monoxide, a poisonous and sometimes fatal gas.
• Put on layers of warm clothing if it is cold outside.
• Use flashlights for lighting instead of candles. Candles can cause fires.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. 

After the power comes back on: 

• Throw away food that has spoiled or was exposed to temperatures higher than 40 degrees for two hours or more, or food that has an unusual odor or texture.
• Restock your emergency kit.  

Cobb EMC works around the clock to make sure we’re ready to respond to outages. When severe weather is predicted, our trucks are stocked and our crews are ready to mobilize if an outage occurs. You can report a power outage by calling us at (770) 429-2100 or by going to our Outage and Storm Center. You can also monitor current outages and estimated restoration times by using our outage map.

Sources: Department of Homeland Security, American Red Cross