Panama City, FL - Aug. 23, 2008 - Gulf Power crews quickly repaired sporadic power outages Saturday as Tropical Storm Fay began slogging through Northwest Florida. As the center of the storm moved past Panama City, the company had a total of 72 customers without electricity in all of Northwest Florida.

“We have not had any major problems so far, but the gusting winds have caused some scattered outages,” John Hutchinson, Gulf Power’s General Manager of Public Affairs said. “We expect more outages as the storm moves toward the west tonight and tomorrow, but we have all of our crews ready.”

In addition to Gulf Power crews, the utility has brought in about 200 Georgia Power workers to help restore power in the region. Line crews will work as long as possible during the storm, but Hutchinson said when winds approach 30-35 miles per hour it is no longer safe to be up in the air in a bucket truck around live electricity.

“This is not a major storm, but it is very slow moving. If we have long periods of winds sustained above 35 miles per hour, it will delay our efforts to restore power, even though the outages are not widespread,” Hutchinson said. “We ask our customers to be patient and be safe.”

Customers without power should wait a reasonable time before calling the company at 1-800-GU-POWER (487-6937). The company’s automated system can detect widespread outages.

As of 2 p.m. Saturday, Gulf Power had the following number of outages by county:

• Bay – 16 customers
• Escambia – 41 customers
• Okaloosa – 4
• Santa Rosa – 10
• Washington – 1

Helpful information for customers who have lost power:

• If you lose power, please turn off your air conditioning system and other large appliances. Wait 15 to 30 minutes after power has been restored before turning your air conditioning system back on. This will prevent surges and voltage fluctuations in your neighborhood that could cause power to go out again.
• If you have flooding in your home – above or at the level of your outlets – Gulf Power will not be able to restore power until the home has been inspected by the city of the county.
• 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 by visiting Gulf Power's Web site at: 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