A Savannah Electric Storm Team left Savannah on Wednesday morning as a severe ice storm brought high winds, icy conditions and widespread power outages to portions of the Midwest and South.

The team, with a tentative destination of Jackson, Mississippi, was assembled after the company received requests for assistance in restoring power lost during the storm.

The team consists of four crews representing 15 employees and ten trucks from both Savannah and Springfield Operations Centers. Savannah Electric has also released some 35 contract lineworkers and approximately 12 contract tree-trimmers for emergency storm response.

Depending on conditions and the progress of restoration efforts, the crews are expected to return early next week.

Other Southern Company subsidiaries are also responding to similar requests from the area.

The request for assistance was made by Entergy Corporation, a New Orleans-based energy company with operations in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.