Sister companies ready to assist

Gulf Power’s sister companies are on standby to assist Northwest Florida to restore electric service should Tropical Storm Isaac make landfall.

According to a Gulf Power press release, the companies are Alabama Power, Mississippi Power and Georgia Power.

In addition, almost a thousand workers from neighboring utilities have also been recruited.

“We can always count on the strength of Southern Company to bolster our power restoration efforts,” said Jeff Rogers, spokesperson for Gulf Power. “We’re prepared for widespread power outages if Isaac makes landfall anywhere in our service area, and it’s great to have the experienced crews from our sister companies on standby to help.”

Conversely, if Tropical Storm Isaac makes landfall farther west and Northwest Florida sustains minimum impact, Gulf Power and Southern Company will assist the utility companies in the affected areas.

Rogers also stated in the press release that although it is unknown right now precisely where Tropical Storm Isaac will make landfall, Gulf Power is preparing as if the storm will be a category three hurricane and will make a direct hit.

In that case, he said customers can expect up to three weeks of power outages.

“We ask our customers to be prepared for widespread, lengthy outages.”

Gulf Power’s preparations include making arrangements with vendors to have large inventory of poles, wires, transformers and other equipment brought in.

Staging sites will also be set up where workers can sleep, eat, wash their clothes, refuel the trucks and have tools repaired, as well as ensuring aircrafts are available to perform damage assessments immediately after the storm.

“We thank our customers in advance for their patience as our crews work hard to restore everyone’s power,” said Rogers.

Customers can follow updates on Gulf Powers Facebook page and can report outages on their mobile phones at www.gulfpower.com<www.gulfpower.com.

Updates will be posted as they become available.