As Tropical Storm Hanna churns in the southern Bahamas, Progress Energy Carolinas officials are monitoring the potential path of the storm and implementing early phases of the company's comprehensive storm plan. The company encourages customers to review their own safety plans as well.

As of Tuesday morning, Hanna has been downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm, but is expected to regain strength and begin a slow move to the northwest. The current forecast calls for landfall Friday as a category 1 or 2 hurricane between Savannah, Georgia, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Either track would result in strong winds and heavy rain in Progress Energy Carolinas' service area.

"It's been a while since our service area has experienced a major storm, so we encourage customers to take advantage of this time to prepare their own storm plans," said Hershell McCarty, Progress Energy Carolinas storm coordinator. "Having a plan in place and knowing what to do when bad weather comes are critical to ensuring the safety of families and property."

Meanwhile, utilities affected by Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana have requested restoration assistance from Progress Energy and other utilities throughout the Southeast; however, Progress Energy will not send any company or local contract line and tree crews to other areas until Hanna has passed and its effects in the Carolinas are known.

The company's storm plan includes mobilizing employees to handle increased customer calls, to quickly evaluate storm damage, to coordinate line crew and equipment mobilization, to coordinate materials required for repairs, and to arrange meals and lodging for out-of-town workers.