Bomb threat received at Plant Yates, Highway 16 closed

COWETA COUNTY, Ga. - A Georgia Power facility in Coweta County was evacuated Monday afternoon as authorities investigated a possible bomb threat.

What we know:

The Coweta County Sheriff's Office said a large law enforcement presence responded to Plant Yates at 708 Dyer Road.

A Georgia Power spokesperson told FOX 5 Atlanta that officials received reports of "threatening language" claiming an explosive device was inside a portable toilet at the construction site. 

Authorities asked the public to stay away from the area while the investigation was underway.

The Coweta County Emergency Management Agency confirmed public safety agencies were investigating a potential threat at the plant. Both state and federal authorities are assisting in the investigation. 

They also advised that Highway 16 has been shut down temporarily. 

MAP OF THE AREA

What we don't know:

Authorities have not announced whether anything suspicious has been found.

It is also unknown at this time how many employees were in the plant at the time the threat was received. 

What they're saying:

Georgia Power sent the following statement to FOX 5 Atlanta:

We place the safety of teams working to build, maintain or operate our facilities first every day. We can confirm that we received reports of threatening language alleging an explosive device onsite posted inside a portable toilet at the Plant Yates construction site this afternoon – we take this very seriously. Workers have evacuated the site and we are working with local authorities to sweep the site to ensure safety before work resumes.

What you can do:

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or the Coweta County Sheriff's Office at 770-253-1502.