Columbus power outages reduced. More than 3,000 were reported with Hurricane Helene coming

Editor’s note: This story is part of our ongoing Hurricane Helene coverage, a fast-moving developing story. For the latest information, please visit ledger-enquirer.com.

Power outages have begun in Columbus as Hurricane Helene approaches .

As of 7:25 p.m. Thursday, the Georgia Power outage map showed 503 customers without power because of three outages. That total is down from the 3,014 total Columbus customers without power because of eight outages as of 3:37 p.m. Thursday.

The biggest one was near the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Wooldridge Road, where 2,957 customers were affected. Restoration was expected by 4:45 p.m.

A power outage in the Norris Road area affected 119 customers, according to the Georgia Power outage map.

A utility pole was split in half on Norris Road. Three crane trucks and other support trucks were working on the issue around midday Thursday. A tree fell along Fuller Street off Norris Road as well, bringing down power lines. Power restoration was expected around 3:30 p.m.

“There does not appear to be any damage to homes or vehicles,” Fuller Street area resident Michelle Gagnon told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email. “Just a giant mess of tree parts and power/cable lines in the front yard.”

If you know about a power outage or downed utility poles or trees, please email us at newsroom@ledger-enquirer.com