By Wendy Jones
JEFFERSON, Ga. | Jackson EMC encourages members to prepare now for hurricane season, even though its service area is far from the coast. Early forecasts suggest the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season may be less active than recent years, but it only takes one storm to impact our community. This is a good time to review your storm plan and make sure your family is ready for whatever the season brings.
Jackson EMC prepares year-round for severe weather, with crews, equipment and response plans in place to respond quickly and safely when outages occur. Even so, major storms can bring widespread damage from high winds, heavy rain and falling trees, which remain the leading cause of power outages in our area. That’s why early preparation at home matters. When EMC homeowners take time to plan ahead, gather supplies and stay informed, it helps reduce risk and supports faster recovery across the community.
Jackson EMC also coordinates with other electric cooperatives through mutual aid agreements, bringing in additional crews and resources when large-scale restoration efforts are needed. Crews are staged in advance of major storms when possible, and teams work around the clock until service is restored. Safety remains the top priority during restoration, both for lineworkers and the public.
Start preparing now by taking positive steps. First, make a plan. Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do before, during and after a storm. Take time to create or review your written emergency plan, including any medical needs. For guidance on creating a storm plan, visit ready.gov/plan.
Second, build your storm kit early, and make sure everyone knows where it is,
Severe weather can limit access to basic supplies. Every household should have an emergency kit stocked with food, water, medications and other essentials. For a complete checklist, visit jacksonemc.com/storm-center/storm-preparation.
Once you know the storm is approaching, start protecting your home and property. Secure your windows, doors and garage. Trim back tree limbs and bring in outdoor items that could blow away. Taking steps ahead of time can help reduce damage.
You will want to stay connected once the storm approaches. Prior to its arrival, charge your devices and monitor weather updates through trusted sources like weather.gov, local news or your preferred weather apps. For local updates and outage information, follow Jackson EMC on social media.
Once the storm hits, report outages quickly and easily. If your power goes out, use the MyJacksonEMC mobile app, go online to outage.jacksonemc.com, or call us directly at 1-800-245-4044.
- Have a comment? Click here to send an email.
