Georgia Power works every day to keep reliability high across the state, and, during fall planting season, reminds customers that making the right landscaping choices may help decrease the likelihood of a power outage in the event of a storm.

Just last month, Hurricane Irma's high winds toppled an estimated nearly 2,500 trees – illustrating why tree choice and placement is important.  Ensuring that power lines are clear of trees and brush also provides easier access to the company's power lines, which could mean quicker restoration of power during storms.

Georgia Power provides a variety of free resources for customers, including an illustrated planting guide perfect for fall, online at www.georgiapower.com/trees. Resources include:

• Defined Low, Medium and Tall Zones around homes and recommended bush and tree species for each zone.

• Planting tips to help ensure new landscaping is best positioned for health and growth.

• Pruning tips to ensure proper removal of limbs and branches from established trees.

• Safety tips including appropriate proximity to power lines and electrical boxes, as well as the importance of contacting Georgia 811 to have underground utilities located prior to digging.

In addition to helping customers select the right trees to plant, Georgia Power maintains 160,000 line acres and 24,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines under guidelines set by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. These maintenance activities are an essential piece of the company's commitment to ensuring reliable service for 2.5 million customers in every corner of the state.