EMC Final UPDATE: All power was restored late Friday evening. The issue that caused this lengthy outage ended up being a bad control panel in the substation. Obviously substations are very intricate so finding the issue and then fixing the issue is what took so long. Again we apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we safely repaired the issue and restored power.
EMC 10:20 PM update: "The issue we are facing is more intricate than we initially anticipated, and we understand how frustrating this is for our members," said Joseph Jones with Excelsior EMC. "While we wish we could provide a more specific update, we remain hopeful that power will be restored soon. Our team is working diligently to resolve the problem as quickly and safely as possible, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience."
Original story:
Residents in the Cypress Lake area of Bulloch County are experiencing a significant power outage, leaving hundreds in the dark. According to Excelsior EMC, the outage began at approximately 5:00 PM on Friday, March 7, 2025.
As of 8:15 PM, the Excelsior EMC outage map indicates that 488 customers are currently without power. The outage map, accessible by clicking here, provides real-time information on the affected areas.
Excelsior EMC has confirmed that multiple crews are on the scene, diligently working to locate and rectify the issue with the circuit feeding the Cypress Lake area. The cause of the outage is currently unknown, but EMC personnel are prioritizing restoration efforts.
"We understand the inconvenience and frustration this outage causes, and we are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to our members," stated Joseph Jones from Excelsior EMC.
Grice Connect reporters are actively monitoring the situation and are in direct contact with Excelsior EMC. We will provide updates as they become available.
Recharge station opened at Trinity Episcopal Church
Trinity Episcopal Church has responded to a request from Bulloch VOAD and Bulloch Strong to open their doors to allow citizens impacted by the power outage a place the can come and recharge their phones and receive internet access. The church is located at 4401 Country Club Road and will remain open until power is restored.,
Food Safety During a Power Outage
With the power outage impacting a significant portion of the community, it's crucial to prioritize food safety. Here are essential tips to follow during a power outage, based on recommendations from food safety experts:
- Keep Refrigerator and Freezer Doors Closed: The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about four hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full).
- Avoid Opening Doors Unnecessarily: Limit opening refrigerator and freezer doors to minimize temperature fluctuations.
- Use a Cooler with Ice: If the outage is prolonged, transfer perishable items to a cooler with ice to maintain a safe temperature.
- Discard Questionable Food: When in doubt, throw it out. Food that has been exposed to unsafe temperatures may contain harmful bacteria.
- Check Water Safety: If you rely on well water, be aware that your pump may not function during a power outage. If you are concerned about water safety, boil water for one minute before use.
Residents are urged to stay safe and patient while Excelsior EMC crews work to restore power. Stay tuned to Grice Connect for further updates.