Atlanta residents prepare for a dangerously cold night, some without power

The frigid temperatures and windy conditions are knocking down trees on power lines, causing power outages throughout the metro area.

Channel 2′s Tom Jones visited a community off Old Fairburn Road and Somerset Trail where residents say they had been without power since around 1:30 Friday morning. It wasn’t until Channel 2 Action News at 6 p.m. when power was finally restored to the area.

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Most people had to endure the cold and darkness without power overnight; others were doing just fine.

Jones said he saw three homes with high-powered generators that power their entire home.

“What’s the name of that guy?” Anthony Alford said from his sofa in his warm and cozy home as he watched television. His wife kept busy preparing a feast for the company that was coming over Christmas Eve. “Right now, she’s making a pound cake,” Alford pointed out.

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The Alfords can have lights, heat, and electricity because they invested in a generator that powers their entire house.

“Everything. We have power to everything. Just as though the sun was shining and it were 95 degrees,” Alford told Jones.

But it wasn’t 95 degrees. It was 22 degrees when in this quiet community.

Homeowner Sam Smith is without power during the coldest temperatures this year. He said his family keeps doors closed and added blankets to beds to stay warm. “Just put on warm clothing and gloves and just do the best we can,” he said.

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Neighbors here say the power goes out all the time year. No matter the temperature.

“This is a very old grid in this area of Atlanta. So power could go out on a sunny day,” Alford said.

That may change.

“I understand they’re supposed to be putting some underground lines in,” Smith revealed.

That won’t help now, as these cold temperatures will be around for another night.

“Bad time for the power to go out?” Jones asked.

“It certainly is. It’s the worst time of the year,” Smith said.

The frigid temperatures have led neighbors with power to help those who don’t. Then there was good news. Make that great news. Jones said he saw power crews wrap up their repairs and then prepare to leave the area.

Jones added that he saw porch lights and Christmas lights come on. So people here will be warm during another night of freezing temperatures.

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