Gulfport, Miss. – Mississippi Power has deployed crews from the Hattiesburg, Laurel and Meridian areas to Pensacola, Fl., to assist Gulf Power in their restoration efforts along the Florida Gulf Coast.

More than 6,000 Gulf Power customers experienced service interruptions as frigid temperatures moved across the southeast on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Line crews and additional personnel, who will provide mechanical, safety, security and logistics support, participated in a safety briefing prior to departure on tips for driving on icy roads.

“Mississippi Power crews have assisted in several recent cold weather restoration efforts, so they know how to safely work in this environment,” said Distribution and Storm Director Randall Pinkston. "We are able to send crews to Florida to provide assistance, while still meeting the service and reliability needs of our customers here in Mississippi."

After travelling to the Florida Gulf Coast, Mississippi Power employees will receive their work assignments and locations from Gulf Power operations management.

Mississippi Power crews have recently been called to assist in the restoration effort after winter storms in Arkansas and Texas. In 2012, they travelled to Maryland and several northeastern states after Hurricane Sandy made landfall.

“Our crews are trained to work in every type of inclement weather,” said Pinkston. “Whether it’s after a hurricane or after a snow storm, our linemen are prepared to help get the lights back on.”

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for more than 186,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Recognized throughout the utility industry for excellence in storm restoration and recovery efforts, Mississippi Power is the 2013 winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Emergency Assistance Award. Visit our website at www.mississippipower.com, follow us on Twitter, or like us on Facebook.

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