GULFPORT, Miss., Jan. 9, 2011 — Mississippi Power is prepared for outages that may occur as a winter storm system passes through the Southeast tonight and tomorrow, including having additional manpower and crews available, if needed.

Everyone should use caution when on the road as freezing temperatures combined with precipitation can result in hazardous conditions. If going outside for any reason, be aware of tree limbs and electric lines that could potentially give way due to the weight of ice.

For the fastest and most effective way to report a power outage, call the automated reporting system at 1-800-ITS-DARK (1-800-487-3275). Or you can call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-532-1502. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you.

Winter storm survival tips

Should you lose electric service, keep the following tips in mind:

• If you see a downed wire, stay away and call Mississippi Power or local authorities. Warn others to keep clear of the fallen line and avoid contact with trees, fences or anything else the line may be touching. If a power line comes in contact with a vehicle, passengers should stay in the vehicle until crews arrive and confirm it is safe to leave the vehicle.
• Customers are reminded to be careful when using portable heaters or other supplemental heating. Never place heaters near flammable materials or where they might tip over. Use screens for the fireplace to prevent sparks and embers from causing problems.
• Customers should exercise extreme caution if using candles during a power outage. Always keep candles away from flammable objects and never leave them burning unattended. Make sure flashlights have fresh batteries.
• If you use an electric generator, plug electric appliances directly into it. Do not plug the generator into your home's electrical wiring.
• Disconnect or turn off appliances that were on when the power interruption occurred. Leave a light on so you know when service is restored.
• Avoid opening your refrigerator or freezer. Food will stay frozen in a fully loaded freezer for 36 to 48 hours if the doors remain closed. If the freezer is half full, the food will generally keep 24 hours.

Mississippi Power, headquartered in Gulfport, Miss., provides retail and wholesale electric service to approximately 190,000 customers in 23 counties from the Gulf Coast to Meridian.

News media contact: Verdell Hawkins, 228-861-5543