Tampa Electric Provides Update on Hurricane Charley's Impact to Its System, Power Restoration Activities TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tampa Electric today provided an update on the impact of Hurricane Charley to its system. The number of outages the company experienced as a result of the storm was -- at its peak -- approximately 78,000 customers, primarily in its Winter Haven service area. Line crews and tree trimming crews worked through the night to assess the situation and begin restoration efforts. As a result of their efforts, this morning that number had been reduced to 49,500, all except 250 of those in Polk County. Vice President-Energy Delivery Tom Hernandez said, "While the most heavily populated areas of our service territory weren't significantly impacted, our Winter Haven service area did experience a direct hit from Charley. As a result, we experienced some significant damage to our Polk County system, including widespread damage to transmission and distribution circuits serving that area." Debris, on the ground and in the company's power lines, is expected to complicate restoration efforts. Regardless, Hernandez stated that the company's goal is to have its system completely restored by Friday, with emergency facilities, such as hospitals, being top priority. "If you are in Winter Haven and without power, we are aware of it, and we're working on it. If, on Monday, you are still without power, call Tampa Electric," said Hernandez. Customers with life-threatening situations, such as downed power lines, should call 911 or Tampa Electric immediately. Contact numbers for Polk County are 863-299-0800 or (toll-free) 888-223- 0800. In Hillsborough County, customers without power should call 813-223- 0800. DATASOURCE: Tampa Electric CONTACT: Ross Bannister, +1-813-266-0333, or Laura Plumb +1-813-340-7972, both for Tampa Electric

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