Gulf Power Company is restoring power to customers across its service territory after winds from Tropical Storm Lee battered the area. Gulf Power serves 430,000 customers from Pensacola to Panama City. All crews helping with restoration from Hurricane Irene in the northeast have returned home and joined the effort.

"We have been working all weekend to restore power but the high winds have caused a large number of outages," said Jeff Rogers, spokesperson with Gulf Power. "We appreciate everyone's continued patience as we patrol and repair the downed lines."

As of 7 p.m., the utility reported that approximately 19,500 customers were without power throughout its service territory.

“Those outages represented 800 different locations across the area we serve,” said Rogers." Our crews will be working through the night, and we’re using all available resources including contracted crews. We hope to have everyone’s power restored by tomorrow evening.”

By Area-
Bay, Holmes, Jackson, Washington: 9,935
Okaloosa-Walton: 2,633
Escambia-Santa Rosa: 7,000

This information will be updated tomorrow morning.

Gulf Power has activated its storm page at www.gulfpower.com<http://www.gulfpower.com>. Check the website, as well as Gulf Power’s Facebook page, for any updates.

Gulf Power customers with smart phones can go to www.gulfpower.mobi<http://www.gulfpower.mobi> to report and check on outages.

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.”