Safety Skills Save Lives in Post-Helene Car Crash

Southern Company employee Marlon and Georgia Power employee Jason saw smoke in the distance on their way from Mt. Vernon to Hazelhurst. They assumed it was due to down trees and storm debris being burnt following Hurricane Helene. Upon arrival at the smoke’s source, however, they realized they were wrong. 

Then they sprang into action.

Following the most destructive storm in Georgia Power’s history, the team was touring South Georgia to survey storm damage. Their goal of providing impacted customers with necessary supplies and pivotal information on the power restoration effort was briefly put on hold when they found a car laying on its side in the tall grass on U.S. 221. 

Realizing the crash had just happened, neither Marlon nor Jason hesitated to act. Marlon, a Business Operations Manager with the Southern Company, dialed 911 while Jason put on his PPE (personal protective equipment) and cautiously approached the vehicle. 

“We were prepared and had the necessary training and PPE ready to go,” said Jason, part of Georgia Power’s Land Management team. “We didn’t have to wonder and were ready to jump into action.” 

Jason said the driver was alert, but “dazed” when he approached the vehicle, which had a shattered windshield, busted front axle, and deployed airbags — the source of the smoke. Jason and Marlon helped the driver turn off the car, safely exit the vehicle, and calm down before police arrived. 

Whether surveying historic storm damage or engaging with the unexpected, Marlon and  Jason agreed Southern Company and Georgia Power’s emphasis prioritizing safety enabled them to act quickly and effectively.  

“When you’re out in the community, you never know what or who you’re going to encounter when you are trying to lend a helping hand,” Marlon said. “The safety skills we learn at the company are critical. You don’t think about it when you’re in training, but you learn how valuable that training is when you’re applying it in a real-world situation.” 

To learn more about Georgia Power’s Hurricane Helene response or hurricane recovery resources available in your community, visit GeorgiaPower.com/Helene.