Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida, at about 1 p.m. as a Category 4 hurricane with initial measurements making it the strongest to hit the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Camille in 1969.

Officials are calling Michael one of the strongest hurricanes on record and the strongest to make landfall in October in the U.S. It is also believed to be the strongest hurricane to strike the Florida Panhandle.

Structural damage, power outages and storm surge have already been reported along the Florida coast and into the panhandle. Extreme winds, rain and tornado warnings remain a threat inland in southeast Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and northeast Florida and southwest Georgia.

In Alabama, a number of cities and counties in the southeastern part of the state have issued curfews.

Between 600 and 700 Alabama Power and contract crews are being deployed to the southeast area of the state to support Alabama Power teams already on the ground. The crews will be staged closer to where the storm is expected to cause damage.

Because of the magnitude of the storm, damage is likely to substations, transmission lines and distribution lines. Alabama Power will work safely and as efficiently as possible to restore power. Safety will be of utmost importance for Alabama Power crews and customers.

Alabama Power is communicating with its sister companies and other investor-owned utilities through its mutual-assistance agreements. The agreements provide for utilities to move quickly to help each other, if needed, following a natural disaster or other significant disruption.

Alabama Power’s Customer Service Center (CSC) storm team was activated Oct. 9 to help restoration efforts should customers be affected. In addition, the CSC has mobilized to support Gulf Power. More than 25 agents are scheduled to assist Gulf Power today by taking customer calls, with an additional 38 agents scheduled the rest of the week and into the weekend.

Southern Company subsidiary Southern Nuclear is reducing power for units 1 and 2 at the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant as a precautionary safety measure to prepare for potential weather-related conditions caused by Hurricane Michael. These proactive steps will allow station personnel to continue monitoring the storm’s progress and take any necessary actions.

Southern Nuclear operates the facility on behalf of owner Alabama Power.

“Safety systems at nuclear power plants are designed to withstand significant hazard events, and we take pride in our ability to safely and reliably operate our facility,” said Farley Site Vice President Dennis Madison. “The decision to reduce power in preparation for the storm is a conservative measure, as the safety of our plant, employees and neighbors remains the top priority in everything we do.”

As of 3 p.m., Geneva, Houston, Henry and Dale counties remained under a hurricane warning while Conecuh, Escambia, Covington, Butler, Crenshaw, Pike, Coffee, Bullock and Barbour counties were under a tropical storm warning. Parts of Barbour, Bullock and Pike counties are also under an area flood advisory.

The governor’s office has provided a list of shelters available in the state for those looking to get out of the path of the hurricane.

the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) said it has multiple crews on standby ready address problems when the storm clears.

ALDOT said it is closely monitoring the historic storm with crews at its area and district offices in Troy, Dothan, Ozark, Enterprise Andalusia, and Eufaula prepared to respond as soon as it is safe to do so. Once conditions allow, ALDOT crews will be out to assess damage and crews with chainsaws will help clear roadways of debris in an effort to aid the efforts of first responders. Also, multiple signal techs and sign trucks are on standby and ready to repair any damaged signals or signs as quickly as possible.

Any drivers in affected areas who do have to be on the road are asked to be mindful of first responders as well as state and local transportation and power crews. Also, officials urge people to “turn around, don’t drown” when motorists observe roadways covered in water.
• Know your community hurricane evacuation routes, in case an evacuation is necessary.
• Determine where your family will meet.
• Make sure you have a way to contact your family.
• Stock an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, cash and copies of your critical information.
• Keep a three-day supply of water – a gallon per person per day – and three days’ supply of nonperishable food on hand.
• Trim shrubs and trees close to your home to minimize damage to your property.
• Turn down the thermostat in your home. It can help keep your home cool for up to 48 hours after a power disruption.
• Bring in outdoor items, such as furniture, decorations, garbage cans, etc.
• Seek shelter in a sturdy building, away from windows and doors.
• If there is a power outage or a downed line, report it at www.alabamapower.com or call Alabama Power’s automated reporting system at 1-800-888-APCO (2726). Turn off appliances to avoid any potential safety hazards when power is restored.
• Stay away from downed lines and keep pets away.
• Stay clear of damaged and fallen trees where a downed line may be hidden. Stay away from areas where repair crews are working.

More people are purchasing portable generators to keep appliances running during outages. While generators can be a convenience, they can also be deadly when used improperly.

Read and follow carefully the manufacturer’s instructions before using a generator.

Do not plug in portable generators to your household wiring. This can cause serious injury to you and to Alabama Power employees working on the lines in your neighborhood. Connect only essential appliances – such as freezers and refrigerators – directly to the generator.

To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, operate generators outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area that is away from air intakes to the home, including window air conditioners. A good location is an open shed. Never use a portable generator indoors or in attached garages.</s>02:23 Hurricane Michael Devastated Bee Population in Florida Up to 50,000 bee colonies were destroyed by Hurricane Michael in Northern Florida.

At a Glance Hurricane Michael carved swaths of devastation as it made landfall on the Florida Panhandle.

One death has been reported in Gadsden County.

More than 331,000 homes and businesses lost power in Florida.

More than 375,000 people along the Gulf Coast in 22 counties were ordered or urged to evacuate.

More than 50 miles inland, the hurricane continued to cause major damage.

When Hurricane Michael made landfall as a high-end Category 4 storm on the Florida Panhandle Wednesday, buildings along the coast were smashed to pieces, storm-surge flooding lapped at the eaves of beach houses, and an Air Force base sustained extensive damage.

One death has been reported in the Panhandle. A Greensboro man was killed when a tree crashed on his home, Gadsden County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Anglie Hightower told the Associated Press.

From Panama City, through Mexico Beach — where the storm made landfall — and into Apalachicola, houses were swamped or blown apart, roofs were ripped off, boats sank, and trees toppled in the high winds.

Tyndall Air Force Base, which sits across the bay from Panama City, posted on its Facebook page that the base sustained extensive damage . A wind gust of 129 mph was measured at the base. No injuries were reported. Base personnel had been ordered to evacuate on Monday. The Facebook post said evacuees should plan on being away for an extended time.

The damage extended far inland as well. In Marianna, about 55 miles from Panama City, social media posts showed buildings with collapsed walls and torn off roofs. The police department lost its roof, too. Michael arrived in the city with gusts up to 102 mph.

Officials in Tallahassee, the state capital, tweeted that initial assessments of storm damage were showing lots of downed power lines, power poles, and trees.

As of 10:30 p.m. EDT, more than 331,000 homes and businesses were without power statewide, most of which were in the areas impacted by the storm , according to PowerOutage.us. The total number of customers without power in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia topped 550,000.

(MORE: Track Hurricane Michael )

More From the Coast

Images from Mexico Beach showed widespread devastation with homes reduced to kindling and roofs lying in the middle of U.S. 98 . Storm surge lapped at roof eaves.

Patricia Mulligan was in a condo on Mexico Beach when Michael slammed into the town. “You can’t drive a car anywhere, you can’t do anything because it’s littered with houses, pieces of houses ,” Mulligan told the New York Times. She said her brother's condo was destroyed as were other units nearby. “They’re not there. It’s gone,” she said.

Several storm trackers tweeted that they were shocked by the devastation.

Mark Suddath wrote, "Walking thru Mexico Beach to receive my GoPro cam and I’m telling you, it’s DEVASTATED. Truly devastated. Some buildings completely swept clean - only slabs."

Earlier he had written, "Drove from Panama City almost to Mexico Beach and I can tell you this is the worst damage from wind that I have ever seen! Absolutely catastrophic!"

Josh Morgerman wrote, "It's hard to convey in words the scale of the catastrophe in Panama City. The whole city looks like a nuke was dropped on it. I'm literally shocked at the scale of the destruction."

Tweets from a resident of Panama City showed a bank where the windows were blown out and two middle schools had major roof damage. Drone video showed the roof peeled back from the gymnasium at Jinks Middle School.

Vance Beu, 29, was staying with his mother at her Panama City apartment when a pine tree stabbed through the roof. Beu told AP the roar of the storm sounded like a jet engine as the winds accelerated.

"It was terrifying, honestly. There was a lot of noise. We thought the windows were going to break at any time. We had the inside windows kind of barricaded in with mattresses," Beu said.

Kaylee O'Brien was crying as she sorted through the remains of the apartment she shared with three roommates. Four pine trees had crashed through the roof of her apartment, nearly hitting two people.

<img class="styles__noscript__2rw2y" src="https://dsx.weather.com/util/image/w/43567164_2043348495687516_697930394598637568_n.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0" srcset="https://dsx.weather.com/util/image/w/43567164_2043348495687516_697930394598637568_n.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 400w, https://dsx.weather.com/util/image/w/43567164_2043348495687516_697930394598637568_n.jpg?v=ap&w=980&h=551&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 800w" > Chunks of U.S. 98 in Panama City Beach, Florida, were washed away by the storm surge from Hurricane Michael on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. (Photo by Charles Ferrell) (Photo by Charles Ferrell)

Facebook photos showed chunks of U.S. 98 that were washed away by the storm surge.

The walls collapsed at the Pawaday Inn, a pet grooming and boarding business in Panama City. A Miami Herald reporter tweeted that the dogs survived, but a cat drowned after being trapped.

In Panama City Beach, WJHG-TV employees were told they could evacuate the station if they felt unsafe, but a few remained inside the building , according to reporter Danielle Ellis. The station lost power a few hours later.

The Panama City News Herald lost power and stayed in operation using a backup generator, but did not have internet access at the office, the Associated Press reported.

Bay Medical Sacred Heart in Panama City tweeted that hospital "sustained damage including windows blown out, cracking of an exterior wall, and roof damage." The tweet said emergency generators were working, and patients had been moved to safer areas.

In Port St. Joe, about 12 miles southeast of Mexico Beach, a church lost its steeple and much of its roof, parts of buildings were torn away , and pine trees snapped like matchsticks .

Port St. Joe's Mayor Bo Patterson remained in his home seven blocks from the beach during the storm. "It feels like you don't know when the next tree is going to fall on top of you because it's blowing so ferociously, " he told Reuters by telephone. "It's very, very scary. We have trees being uprooted, heavy, heavy rain."

Further east, Apalachicola saw a lot of damage too. Sally Crown, who rode out the storm in her house, ventured out after the storm had passed.

"It's absolutely horrendous. Catastrophic," Crown told AP. "There's flooding. Boats on the highway. A house on the highway. Houses that have been there forever are just shattered."

"There are so many downed power lines and trees that it's almost impossible to get through the city," Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson said.

The Wakulla County Sheriff's Office said parts of the county, which sits on the coast south of Tallahassee, had seen storm surge of 9 feet . The winds were dying down and crews were beginning to access the damage.

Before Michael Made Landfall

Hours before landfall, reports of damage and flooding were relayed from the coast. Residents who refused to evacuate were cut off when bridges were closed, including along St. George Island, where some called for help Wednesday morning but were told crews would not be able to reach them, a National Weather Service storm report said.

Wednesday morning, Florida Gov. Rick Scott shared dire advice : "The time to evacuate has come and gone ... SEEK REFUGE IMMEDIATELY."

"Unfortunately, Hurricane Michael has become a hurricane of the worst kind," FEMA Administrator Brock Long told reporters.

The Florida Highway Patrol said it pulled its troopers away from coastal areas because it was too dangerous to keep them in those areas.

"We have done everything we can as far as getting the word out," said Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith told the AP. "Hopefully more people will leave."

More than 375,000 people along the Gulf Coast in 22 counties were ordered or urged to evacuate, officials said.

All airports along the Florida Panhandle closed throughout the storm, and flights were canceled. Tallahassee International Airport tweeted late Wednesday that the airfield had reopened but priority was being given to relief flights. Commercial flights were set to resume midday Thursday, the airport said.

<img class="styles__noscript__2rw2y" src="https://dsx.weather.com/util/image/w/ap_18283510241974.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0" srcset="https://dsx.weather.com/util/image/w/ap_18283510241974.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 400w, https://dsx.weather.com/util/image/w/ap_18283510241974.jpg?v=ap&w=980&h=551&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 800w" > Waves from the Choctawhatchee Bay pound the seawall on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, as Hurricane Michael closes in on land. (Nick Tomecek/Northwest Florida Daily News via AP) (Nick Tomecek/Northwest Florida Daily News via AP)

In Bay County, first responders were no longer able to respond to emergencies as of Wednesday morning, but the Panama City Fire Department would continue responding to life-threatening emergency calls that came from within the city limits, the county said in a tweet.

"There’s no way to put a silver lining on this," said Jim Cantore, storm tracker for The Weather Channel, Wednesday morning while reporting live on Panama City Beach.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency in Florida to free up as many resources as possible for storm and emergency response.

Rescue teams and utility trucks descended on the region by the hundreds from all over the country as they prepared to help with the aftermath.

"We have a pit in our stomachs, too," National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham said during a Wednesday morning interview on The Weather Channel.

(MORE: The Latest from the Carolinas )

Evacuation orders were expanded for additional areas in the path of the storm on Tuesday. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for Okaloosa Island and Holiday Isle Tuesday afternoon, and voluntary evacuations were in place for residents in flood-prone areas of Pasco County.

FloridaDisaster.org has a complete list of areas under mandatory and voluntary evacuations.

"If you decide to stay in your home and a tree falls on your house or the storm surge catches you and you’re now calling for help, there’s no one that can respond to help you," warned Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan during a news conference Monday. "That’s the criticality of following directions."

Scott said more than 3,500 Florida National Guard members were activated for storm response. He added that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was ready to deploy and the Department of Transportation was monitoring the situation.

All bridges leading to and from coastal islands were closed Wednesday morning. With road closures expected to be a fluid situation, officials urged residents to follow updates on the Department of Transportation's Twitter page .

(MORE: Shelters Open as Michael Nears Gulf Coast )

"This is the worst storm that the Florida Panhandle has seen in more than 100 years," said Scott.

Florida State University, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College all announced that campuses would be closed Tuesday through Friday. FSU opened the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center as a shelter for students and faculty.

Leon County Schools posted a tweet Monday saying all schools would be closed through the rest of the week. Bay District Schools will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday , the Panama City News Herald reported.

Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.</s>ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on Hurricane Michael's current forecasted track, Duke Energy Florida projects 100,000 to 200,000 power outages in the northern part of its service area on the Florida Panhandle.

The outage projections are based on the company's storm modeling tool, which analyzes variables including storm magnitude, wind speed, size of the wind field and ground saturation.

Duke Energy anticipates significant, widespread power outages, particularly along the coastline of the company's service area due to storm surge.

Historical data and company experience indicate complete restoration from a storm of this magnitude could take multiple days to over a week – depending on the extent of actual damage, crews' ability to access remote areas and islands, and conditions following the storm, such as flooding.

Duke Energy has mobilized more than 7,000 personnel, prepared to work around the clock to restore customers' power.

Crews from Duke Energy's Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky operations will assist – as will workers from other utility companies based in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Illinois, Texas and Missouri.

Restoring power after a storm can be extremely challenging for repair crews, as travel and work conditions can be impacted by high winds and widespread flooding – making repair work lengthy and difficult.

Before power can be restored, crews first must assess the extent of damage – which can take 24 hours or more – to determine which crews, equipment and supplies are needed before repairs can begin.

Duke Energy urges customers in the projected path of the storm to pay close attention to information and advice from state and local emergency management officials.

The following tips can help you and your family stay safe if the power goes out:
• Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized as well as trees, limbs or anything in contact with lines.
• Create (or update) an emergency supply kit to save valuable time later. The kit should include everything an individual or family would need for at least two weeks, especially medicines and other supplies that might be hard to find after a storm strikes.
• Keep a portable radio or TV, or NOAA weather radio on hand to monitor weather forecasts and important information from state and local officials.
• Charge cellphones, computers and other electronic devices in advance of the storm to stay connected to important safety and response information. Consider purchasing portable chargers and make sure they are fully charged as well.
• Maintain a plan to move family members – especially those with special needs – to a safe, alternative location in case an extended power outage occurs or evacuation is required.
• Pet owners can make arrangements to stay at evacuation shelters that accept pets, friends' or family members' homes, or pet-friendly hotels. Review insurance policies, and include extra copies of the policies and other important documents in your emergency supply kit (ideally in a waterproof container).
• Report all power line hazards using the following phone number 800.228.8485.
• If a power line falls across a car that you're in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

For a "Hurricane Kit Checklist," and important safety information visit www.ready.gov. In addition, tips on what to do before, during and after a storm can be found at www.duke-energy.com/safety-and-preparedness/storm-safety. A checklist serves as a helpful guide, but it's critical before, during and after a storm to follow the instructions and warnings of emergency management officials in your area.

Click here for a video demonstration and to read more about safety around power lines.

Before the storm hits, customers should note how to report power outages. Customers who experience an outage during the storm can report it by:
• Texting OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).

For storm or power restoration updates, follow Duke Energy on Twitter (@DukeEnergy) and Facebook (Duke Energy).
• People who live along lakes and rivers, and in other low-lying areas or areas prone to flooding, should pay close attention to local emergency management officials, national weather service and media for changing weather conditions and rising lake and river levels.
• High water conditions can create navigational hazards and the public should use caution and adhere to the advice of local emergency management officials before going on area lakes or rivers.
• Members of the public who have electrical service to facilities (piers, outside lighting on seawalls, etc.) on or near water, should have this service de-energized to avoid injuries and equipment damage.

Duke Energy Florida owns and operates a diverse generation mix, including natural gas, coal and renewables, providing about 9,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.8 million customers in a 13,000-square-mile service area.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing its energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

The company's Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit serves approximately 7.6 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to approximately 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Commercial Renewables unit operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the U.S.

A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2018 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' 2018 "America's Best Employers" list.

More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.</s>CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy projects Hurricane Michael could cause 300,000 to 500,000 power outages in North Carolina and South Carolina this week, based on the storm's current forecasted track.

The power outage projections are based on the company's storm modeling tool, which analyzes variables including storm magnitude and track, wind speed, size of the wind field and ground saturation.

Historical data and company experience indicate complete power restoration from a storm of this magnitude could take several days – depending on the extent of damage, crews' ability to access remote areas, and conditions such as flooding after the storm.

"We know this is an extremely difficult time, especially for many of our customers who have already endured the impacts of Hurricane Florence – a storm some would consider a 'once-in-a-lifetime' event," said Howard Fowler, Duke Energy's incident commander for the Carolinas.

"The remnants of Hurricane Michael will once again challenge the resolve of our communities, our customers and our employees – but working together, we'll all get through this," Fowler said.

More than 6,000 workers in Carolinas

Nearly 6,000 workers – including power line technicians, damage assessors and tree specialists – are ready to respond to the storm's impact in the Carolinas.

Restoring power after a storm can be extremely challenging for repair crews, as travel and work conditions can be hampered by high winds and flooding.

Work cannot begin until the storm has passed and repair crews can safely access damaged areas. For worker safety, line technicians do not perform elevated work in bucket trucks when winds are higher than 35 miles per hour.

Before power can be restored, workers first must conduct a damage assessment – which can take 24 hours or more – to determine which crews, equipment and supplies are needed before repairs can begin.

That assessment will determine where the company will deploy its workers, equipment and other resources to begin the complex job of power restoration once the storm passes.

Duke Energy first will restore power to critical infrastructure – such as emergency centers, fire stations, hospitals, water treatment plants and other public safety and health facilities.

At the same time, the company will repair major power transmission lines, damaged substations and other large-scale electrical equipment to restore electricity to the largest number of customers, as quickly as possible.

The following tips can help you and your family stay safe if the power goes out:
• Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized as well as trees, limbs or anything in contact with lines.
• Create (or update) an emergency supply kit to save valuable time later. The kit should include everything an individual or family would need for at least two weeks, especially medicines and other supplies that might be hard to find after a storm strikes.
• Keep a portable radio or TV, or NOAA weather radio on hand to monitor weather forecasts and important information from state and local officials.
• Charge cellphones, computers and other electronic devices in advance of the storm to stay connected to important safety and response information. Consider purchasing portable chargers and make sure they are fully charged as well.
• Maintain a plan to move family members – especially those with special needs – to a safe, alternative location in case an extended power outage occurs or evacuation is required.
• Pet owners can make arrangements to stay at evacuation shelters that accept pets, friends' or family members' homes, or pet-friendly hotels.
• Review insurance policies, and include extra copies of the policies and other important documents in your emergency supply kit (ideally in a waterproof container).
• Report all power line hazards using the following phone numbers:
• If a power line falls across a car that you're in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

Click here for a video demonstration and to read more about safety around power lines.

For a "Hurricane Kit Checklist," and important safety information visit www.ready.gov. In addition, tips on what to do before, during and after a storm can be found at www.duke-energy.com/safety-and-preparedness/storm-safety. A checklist serves as a helpful guide, but it's critical before, during and after a storm to follow the instructions and warnings of emergency management officials in your area.

Before the storm hits, customers should note how to report power outages. Customers who experience an outage during the storm can report it by:
• Texting OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).
• Calling the automated outage-reporting system at 800-769-3766 for Duke Energy Carolinas customers and 800-419-6356 for Duke Energy Progress customers.

For storm or power restoration updates, follow Duke Energy on Twitter (@DukeEnergy) and Facebook (Duke Energy).
• People who live along lakes and rivers, and in other areas prone to flooding, should pay close attention to state local emergency management officials, the National Weather Service and local media for information about rising river and lake levels.
• Duke Energy is adjusting operations at its hydro-electric power plants, located on rivers and lakes, to accommodate additional water flow from forecasted rainfall.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing its energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

The company's Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit serves approximately 7.6 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to approximately 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Commercial Renewables unit operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the U.S.

A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2018 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' 2018 "America's Best Employers" list.

More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.</s>Duke Energy Florida, which provides electricity to large parts of the state’s Big Bend and eastern Panhandle said Tuesday night it expects 100,000 to 200,000 customers to have power outages because of Hurricane Michael.The utility said it based the estimate on a storm-modeling tool that takes into account factors such as wind speed and the magnitude of the storm.“Duke Energy anticipates significant, widespread power outages, particularly along the coastline of the company’s service area due to storm surge,” the company said in a news release. “Historical data and company experience indicate complete restoration from a storm of this magnitude could take multiple days to over a week —- depending on the extent of actual damage, crews’ ability to access remote areas and islands, and conditions following the storm, such as flooding.”Duke’s service area includes parts of the state expected to be hit hard Wednesday by Hurricane Michael, including part of Bay County and the coastal counties of Gulf, Franklin and Wakulla.Michael became a Category 3 hurricane Tuesday, and the National Hurricane Center said it is “forecast to be a major hurricane at landfall in Florida.”Duke said it has mobilized 7,000 workers to restore power after the hurricane and is bringing in workers from Duke’s operations in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.</s>Hurricane Michael knocked out power to more than 83,000 Alabama customers as it lashed through the southeastern portion of the state Wednesday.

As of 11 a.m. Thursday, Alabama Power had restored power to all but 36,000 customers.

Nearly 1,250 company and contracted employees have moved or are moving into the hardest hit areas in southeast and east Alabama to help the 245 local employees with restoration efforts.

As of 11 a.m., outages included 10,000 in Houston County, 7,100 in Henry County, 5,800 in Dale County, 5,200 in Geneva County, 4,500 in Lee County and 4,200 in Barbour County.

Alabama Power said crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore service to all customers affected by the hurricane.

The public is urged to stay away from downed lines and other hazards and to report hazardous conditions to Alabama Power or local authorities.

Alabama Power’s Customer Service Center (CSC) storm team was activated Oct. 9 to help restoration efforts. In addition, the CSC has mobilized to support Gulf Power, which sustained dramatic damage in the Florida Panhandle. More than 25 agents are assisting Gulf Power today by taking customer calls, with an additional 38 agents scheduled the rest of the week and into the weekend.

The CSC has handled nearly 550 calls since Wednesday when Hurricane Michael made landfall near Panama City, Florida. .

Southern Company subsidiary Southern Nuclear reduced power for units 1 and 2 at the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan as a precautionary safety measure in advance of Hurricane Michael. Both units continue to operate.

Southern Nuclear operates the facility on behalf of owner Alabama Power.

Tropical Storm Michael was over North Carolina at 10 a.m. Thursday.</s>Hurricane Michael left a wake of destruction along the Florida coast and then continued its devastation well inland, bringing down trees, knocking out power, creating flooding and causing structural damage in Alabama and Georgia.

Alabama Power reported thousands of outages in southeast Alabama at 10 p.m. Houston County had the largest number of outages of 42,000, followed by Henry with 7,400, Dale with 5,800, Geneva with 5,800, Barbour with 5,400 and Lee with 3,200.

More outages are possible overnight and assessment and restoration efforts are unlikely on a large scale until the weather improves and visibility returns Thursday morning to make work safe for crews.

Alabama has mobilized more than 1,000 company and contractor resources to address outages and effects from Hurricane Michael.

Media outlets are reporting more than 330,000 power outages in Florida and more than 170,000 in Georgia.</s>TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - At least 388,000 utility customers lost power as Hurricane Michael crashed ashore -- with potentially catastrophic winds of 155 mph -- between Panama City and St. Vincent Island, before speeding north into Alabama and Georgia on Wednesday.

The Category 4 storm created storm surges up to 14 feet in areas, inflicted damages across Tyndall Air Force Base east of Panama City and spawned at least two “devastating” tornadoes in Gadsden County. The monster hurricane was the most powerful ever recorded to hit the Panhandle and was on par with Hurricanes Irma, which swept across Florida in September 2017, and Andrew, which devastated Homestead in 1992.

Addressing the media at the state Emergency Operations Center Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Rick Scott said a “massive wave of response” was already underway from the state, utilities and the U.S. Coast Guard, for the storm that “came really fast.”

“We’re sending them out now,” Scott said.

Scott earlier had expressed frustration about people resisting evacuation orders, but there were no immediate reports of fatalities amid reports of significant damages throughout the region.

The governor didn’t wait for damage assessments before seeking federal assistance from President Donald Trump for 14 counties: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla.

In a letter to Trump written Wednesday afternoon, Scott said “there is no need for damage assessment," due to the level of devastation.

“On the state side, the impacts to Bay and Franklin counties alone should be more than enough to meet the $27 million threshold for public assistance,” Scott wrote. “And, the needs of the survivors in those counties should paint a sufficient picture for an individual assistance declaration.”

Scott, who expressed frustration earlier in the day about people ignoring evacuation orders, noted that the state has already spent close to $40 million on its response.

Through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, Florida has also requested rescue teams and equipment from states including Kansas, Wisconsin, Colorado, Mississippi, Virginia, Louisiana, Ohio, Oregon, New York, Tennessee and Maryland.

In the letter to the president, Scott wrote that the impacts of Michael are “so extraordinary that a higher federal cost share is warranted.” He called for 100 percent federal cost share on debris removal in affected counties for the next 60 days, and also asked for transitional housing assistance.

U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, along with 20 House members from Florida, sent a similar letter to Trump regarding aid for the 14 counties.

As the storm came ashore Wednesday, tornado risks grew, with warnings issued as far south as Sarasota County.

Cars were reported underwater as far south as Citrus County. Interstate 10 was closed west of Tallahassee.

Moving north-northeast at 16 mph, the center of Michael, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, reached southeastern Alabama and southwest Georgia by 5 p.m.

Gulf Power spokesman Jeff Rogers warned that customers could be without power “for weeks” as crews are expected both to be restoring power and rebuilding parts of the system.

“Northwest Florida has never encountered a storm of this magnitude,” Rogers said in a release.

Pensacola-based Gulf Power estimated that up to 225,000 of its customers could be impacted by the storm that pounded the Panhandle throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

The state Division of Emergency Management reported 388,100 power outages just after 6 p.m., without any breakdown.

Power was out in nearly 90 percent of Bay County, which includes Panama City, as night fell Wednesday.

At the same time, Duke Energy reported about 30,000 outages, mostly along the coast from Davis Beach east to Port Leon, south of Tallahassee.

Among the smaller utility providers, Talquin Electric -- which provides electricity in Gadsden, Liberty, Leon, and Wakulla counties -- reported 35,314 of its 52,013 customers were affected by the storm.

Tallahassee Electric reported just over 3,000 outages and nearly 50,000 customers impacted.

Utility crews from Gulf Power, Duke Energy Florida, Florida Power & Light and public utilities have lined up more than 19,000 workers from their own crews and through mutual-aid agreements with companies across the South and Midwest.

Scott spoke Wednesday morning with Trump, who signed a pre-landfall emergency declaration Tuesday ensuring that federal resources would be available before and after the storm in the 35 counties where the governor declared a state of emergency.

Before the storm made landfall, Scott said he activated 3,500 members of the Florida National Guard. More than 1,000 state forestry and wildlife officers were prepared for search-and-rescue operations, Scott said. He advised tourists and residents that had yet to heed evacuation calls early Wednesday to “hunker down,” warning, “It’s going to get worse pretty fast here.”

Florida Emergency Management Director Wes Maul said the state is prepared to conduct search-and-rescue operations and to deliver food and medical supplies to affected areas.

“Human needs, there’s going to be a lot,” Maul said. “Look at what is on the list: medical, water, food, shelter, emergency fuel. The time for opening shelters is over.”

As of 4 a.m. Wednesday, nearly 8,000 people were being housed in 54 shelters across the Panhandle and Big Bend, according to the state Division of Emergency Management.</s>Verizon Wireless is doing what they can to help those affected by Hurricane Michael.

Verizon is offering free calling, texting, and data to Alabama and Florida customers impacted by the Category 4 storm. From October 10 through October 14, Verizon is providing the free services to its postpaid and prepaid customers who reside in the areas of the Florida Panhandle including coastal Alabama that are in the direct path of the storm.

“This is one way we can help residents preparing for Hurricane Michael’s landfall,” said Russ Preite, president, Southeast Market for Verizon Wireless. “We urge all those in the storm’s path to get prepared and stay safe.”

Additionally, as part of Verizon’s ongoing commitment to those on the front lines of public safety, speed caps restrictions have been lifted for first responders in Alabama and Florida.

Learn more about the Verizon offer for its postpaid and prepaid customers who reside in the areas of the Florida Panhandle including coastal Alabama that are in the direct path of the storm.</s>ATLANTA – President Donald Trump will be coming to Georgia to survey damage after Michael, a storm that came into the state as a hurricane and left as a tropical storm, slammed a large part of the state.

Trump spoke to Governor Nathan Deal on Wednesday about the impacts of Michael while aboard Air Force One. Trump is expected to visit the affected areas of Michael early next week.

The president also spoke to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Florida Governor Rick Scott. Trump offered any federal resources necessary to the states.

As of Thursday morning, Michael was in the Carolinas as a tropical storm after moving through Florida and Georgia.

This comes as Trump has declared a state of emergency in several Georgia counties after Michael ripped through much of the state.

In a press release issued Thursday, the White House ordered federal assistance for response efforts. The president's actions authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency to "authorize, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency."

Several counties will receive 75 percent federal funding due to this designation, including:

Baker, Bleckley, Burke, Calhoun, Colquitt, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Emanuel, Grady, Houston, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, Lee, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Pulaski, Seminole, Sumter, Terrell, Thomas, Treutlen, Turner, Wilcox, and Worth. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance will be provided at 75 percent funding in the counties of Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baldwin, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Clarke, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Columbia, Cook, Crawford, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Greene, Hancock, Irwin, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lanier, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, Marion, McDuffie, McIntosh, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Muscogee, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Peach, Pierce, Putnam, Quitman, Randolph, Richmond, Schley, Screven, Stewart, Talbot, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Tift, Toombs, Twiggs, Upson, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilkes, and Wilkinson.

Vice President Mike Pence was set to visit Atlanta on Thursday to campaign for Secretary of State Brian Kemp who is running for Governor. Pence had to postpone his trip due to Michael.

In a statement Thursday in the storm's aftermath, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal first addressed the "unfortunate loss of life" after an 11-year-old girl died after a tree fell on a home in Seminole County.

Her name has not been released.

Deal said there are an estimated 450,000 customers without power statewide. Cleanup crews from the state forestry service are focusing on debris removal so crews can repair power lines.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) said that 127 state roads are closed due to tree debris in the roadway. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) is working with telecommunications carriers to assess the damage to cell towers statewide.

Georgia's agricultural industry is one of the hardest-hit, according to Gary Black, the state commissioner of agriculture.

"Our worst dreams have been realized," Black said. "It is a very serious day for agriculture."

Black said 53 poultry houses have been destroyed in southwest Georgia and there is widespread damage to local agricultural operations.

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The storm causes power outages to 550,000 customers in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, and 375,000 people in 22 counties have been ordered to evacuate.