Alabama Power crews have wrapped up working in the Savannah, Ga., area restoring electricity to Georgia Power customers in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

About 770 company and contract personnel worked on Wilmington and Tybee islands in a delta where several rivers empty into the Atlantic Ocean 17 miles east of Savannah.

A firefighter (right), who’d worked 66 hours, stopped by to thank the Alabama Power crew for their hard work. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Alabama Power crews work in Georgia to restore power. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Alabama Power crews work in Georgia to restore power. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Alabama Power crews work in Georgia to restore power. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Alabama Power crews work in Georgia to restore power. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Alabama Power crews work in Georgia to restore power. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Alabama Power crews work in Georgia to restore power. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Alabama Power crews work in Georgia to restore power. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Trucks parked along John Mercer Parkway while crews restore power. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power crews)

Alabama Power employees concede the restoration efforts were challenging.

“Due to us being in an unfamiliar area, with storm debris everywhere and many lines located in inaccessible locations, it made for a difficult situation to safely complete the work,” said Bobby Hawthorne, Distribution Engineering Services manager, who staffed the 10^th floor Storm Center at Corporate Headquarters.

But the challenge was met if you ask Georgia Power customers on the two islands. Alabama Power received a lot of love on Facebook, as residents took to social media to express their appreciation for getting the lights back on.

Customers appreciate Alabama Power linemen via social media. (contributed)

Customers appreciate Alabama Power linemen via social media. (contributed)

Customers appreciate Alabama Power linemen via social media. (contributed)

Alabama Power linemen pose with a young fan. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Cards and young children show appreciation for linemen’s work. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Cards and young children show appreciation for linemen’s work. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Cards show appreciation for linemen’s work. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Cards show appreciation for linemen’s work. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Alabama Power linemen pose with a Georgia Power customer. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

Alabama Power linemen pose with Georgia Power customer John Deutsch, who flew in Vietnam in the Air Force 20 years ago. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Power.)

“We are so grateful for your service,” wrote Wendy Awtrey Amerson. “The time you have spent away from home and away from your family has not gone unnoticed. You  guys were here last month during tropical storm Hermine and you are back again for Hurricane Matthew helping us get our little community back and up and running. #RollTide #WarEagle.”

“We are home and were welcomed by two Alabama Power trucks at the entrance to our neighborhood. Roll Tide!” was the Facebook post of Erica Young.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the work our folks have done,” said Distribution Vice President Danny Glover. “Their relentless work ethic and customer focus has left a lasting impression on the customers of Tybee and Wilmington islands.

“Any time you have a major event like this there are challenges and that is where the positive can-do attitude of our employees shines the brightest. Everything centers around getting the job done safely and going home to our families,” Glover said.