Gulf Power is monitoring Tropical Storm Lee while crews stand at the ready, and customers have a new tool to report power outages that may come from the storm.

Gulf Power’s storm restoration team of 65 employees will begin traveling home this weekend after helping electric utility BG & E in the Baltimore area restore power following Hurricane Irene. In the meantime, the company has plenty of resources here at home — should the need arise.

“We’re not expecting any widespread outages this weekend, but we are prepared if needed,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesperson. “We have employees scheduled to be on duty all weekend and can bring in other employees. In addition, our sister companies stand at the ready to provide assistance.”

If the system continues to develop and poses a threat to the area, Gulf Power will activate its storm page on the website, www.gulfpower.com, with more news and information. Check the website, as well as Gulf Power’s Facebook page, for any updates.

And with the threat of outages, Gulf Power has just added a new high-tech feature to its website called “Power Out?”

Click on the light bulb on the left-hand side of the page to report the power out at your home or scan a QR Code with your smartphone for a mobile outage tool that lets you report an outage or check the status of an outage. And, if you want to report a street light out in your neighborhood, you can locate the light that is out on an interactive map and click on it to report the outage.

“Computers and smartphones are changing the way everyone does business, so we saw this as an opportunity to use technology to offer a service to our customers,” Rogers added. “The ‘Power Out?’ button gives you a one-click way to report or check on an outage, whether for your home, a street light or while you’re out on the go.”

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 430,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely deliver affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible electric service to our customers while working to improve the communities we serve. Visit online at GulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page, “Gulf Power Company.”