Gulf Power Completes Power Restoration; EREC Spared By Ice

January 31, 2014

Gulf Power crews braved wintry storm to complete power restoration.

Thursday afternoon, Gulf Power Company restored power to the last pockets of customers impacted by this week’s winter storm.

Since the winter storm began Tuesday afternoon, crews restored power to 47,873 customers. Escambia River Electric Cooperative, the electric provider for 10,000 customers in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, reported on 10 outages during the ice event.

“It was a monumental effort by the entire Gulf Power team,” said Jeff Rogers, Corporate Communications manager. “We appreciate customers’ patience as our crews worked long hours in the harsh conditions to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Gulf Power brought in 155 utility workers from other parts of the company to assist line crews and support personnel in the hardest hit areas — Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. In addition, 169 utility workers from sister companies Mississippi Power and Alabama Power, as well as other contract utilities, were brought in as reinforcements.

Extra line crews weren’t the only help the utility received —the Florida Highway Patrol and the Emergency Operations Centers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were invaluable helping crews find passable roads to reach customers who lost power.

“The experience our crews garnered in North Texas restoring power after their December winter storm proved to be a very important factor,” said Rogers. “There’s no doubt that storm trip gave us the edge for faster, safer power restoration.”

• All Gulf Power customer offices are open.
• All collection activities have been suspended through Monday, Feb. 3.
• Representatives in the Customer Care Center are ready to assist customers 24/7. Just call 800-225-5797.

Customers can view an online outage map by computer, smartphone or tablet at MyGulfPower.com and report or check on an outage. They also can check their power usage on MyGulfPower.com by logging into their account. Customers can create an account online or call the Customer Care Center and a representative will help. Customer Care Center: 1-800-225-5797.

Comments

4 Responses to “Gulf Power Completes Power Restoration; EREC Spared By Ice”

  1. Mom of 3 on February 1st, 2014 9:53 am

    I want to thank EREC for the service they provided during the storm and year round. We did not lose power and we are very appreciative for their hard work and efforts. I know it was a hardship on families of the workers for their loved ones to be working and I hope they know how much we appreciate their efforts.

  2. ERECCONSUMER on February 1st, 2014 7:36 am

    EREC ROCKS! Come rain, snow, sleet or ice- having power sure is nice.

  3. Danny Leonard on January 31st, 2014 7:46 am

    I would like to commend EREC for the work they have done, namely the clearing of
    rite of ways. It really payed off in this storm. In the old days we would have been out of power for days. Thank you!!!

  4. Jane on January 31st, 2014 3:27 am

    Good job everyone! Thank you all!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News