Aug. 28, 2008 - Gulf Power is making preparations in the invent that Tropical Storm Gustav threatens Northwest Florida.

“We have a storm-tested restoration plan and we’re preparing for widespread power outages if Gustav comes ashore here,” John Hutchinson, Corporate Services general manager, said. “We’re prepared to activate our emergency operation center and each Gulf Power employee has a specific storm duty to ensure that power is restored quickly and safely.”

Gulf Power is also checking with neighboring utilities and contractors to put crews on standby in case outside workers are needed. After Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Gulf Power brought in more than 4,000 outside workers. The company is also checking its supplies of materials and reviewing storm assignments.

“If Gustav makes landfall in our service area, we will work as fast and as safely as possible,” Hutchinson said. “We ask our customers to please be patient.”

Hutchinson said if the hurricane does not hit in Northwest Florida, Gulf Power crews would more than likely be sent to help neighboring states restore power, something the utility does almost anytime a hurricane strikes in the Southeast.

“We work a hurricane somewhere almost every year,” Hutchinson said. “The good part about that is that our crews are very well tested and have more experience in emergency restoration operations than other utilities across the country.”

Gulf Power is able to detect most widespread outages during a storm and customers should wait a reasonable time before calling in an outage report. The number to call for reporting outages is 1.800.GU.POWER (487.6937.)

Please keep the following in mind if a storm makes landfall in Northwest Florida.

Before the storm hits

• Set your air conditioner lower to cool down your house. With doors and windows kept closed you can keep your house relatively cool for about 48 hours after the storm.
• Charge your cell phone – and any other devices – before the storm arrives.
• Make an emergency phone list and have it laminated. Some numbers to include: ambulance service, fire department, hospitals, doctors, pharmacy and prescription numbers, insurance agent, roofing companies, building contractors, tree cutting services, electricians, neighbors and Gulf Power’s outage number – 1-800-GU-POWER.
• Fill your butane bottle on your gas grill or portable stove.
• Wash all your dirty dishes and dirty clothes.
• Fill up plastic jugs with water and place them in your freezer. A full freezer stays colder longer.
• Cut your grass – it’s easier to rake up all the leaves and yard debris if your grass has been recently cut.

After the storm hits

• Stay away from all downed lines. Warn others to do the same and contact Gulf Power or a local law enforcement agency.
• If there is damage to your meter box or the pole attached to your meter box, you must first have an electrician make repairs before Gulf Power can restore your service.
• Wait a reasonable time before calling Gulf Power if your entire neighborhood is without power. Gulf Power can detect most widespread outages electronically without customers calling in. Extra calls jam switchboards and slow repairs. Please make only one call.
• Before neighborhood lines can be worked on, Gulf Power crews must first repair larger lines that bring power to population centers. So don’t expect to see work crews in your neighborhoods immediately after a storm.
• Do not connect portable generators to your household electrical wiring. This can cause serious injury to you and to Gulf Power employees. Instead plug appliances into the generator.
• Turn off large appliances and air conditioners and wait 10 to 15 minutes after power has been restored before turning them back on. This prevents a power surge from shutting down electricity again.
• Please be patient. Don’t stop Gulf Power crews to report an outage or ask for information. Before neighborhood lines can be worked on, Gulf Power crews must first repair larger lines that bring power to neighborhoods. The crews are working as safely and as fast as they can.

You can find important information to help you prepare for a storm as well as get information after the storm on Gulf Power’s web site www.gulfpower.com

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

John Hutchinson: 850-444-6750, cell 850-324-0099

Lynn Erickson: 850-444-6249, cell 850-293-4614

Jeff Rogers: 850-444-6243, cell 850-572-5511

Media line: 800-621-6688