Damage to Northwest Florida`s electric system has been catastrophic and Gulf Power crews are well into the process of assessing damage and getting things ready to take power.

Plant Crist, the generating plant in Escambia County, has been damaged as well as 790 miles of the large transmission lines that carry electricity from the plants to substations.

"Our primary goal today is get Plant Crist up and running and get some of those transmission lines repaired," Gulf Power spokesman John Hutchinson said. "At the same time, we have tree trimming crews working throughout the area clearing the trees and clearing down power lines."

Gulf Power also is working today to get power restored to hospitals, sewer plants, water pumping stations and police and fire departments.

More than 1,800 outside workers are headed into Northwest Florida to aid in the restoration effort.

As of Friday morning, out of 405,000 customers, 90 percent were without power.

"The numbers will not change dramatically until we get Plant Crist up and running and until our transmission lines are repaired," John Hutchinson said. "We have a good jump on getting that done today. We have outside crews moving in and we are going to get the lights turned back on as quickly as possible. We ask for, need and appreciate everyone`s understanding and patience."