Utility companies estimate as many as a quarter-million Georgians were without power Friday morning, and the lights won't be back on in some places until Tuesday, Georgia Power estimates.

Georgia Electric reported 137,598 outages and Georgia Power reported 1,277 outages about 12:30 p.m.

The slow and tedious process of restoration means residents must pay attention to safety advisories.

In Dougherty County, Albany officials are asking residents to boil their water at least one minute before drinking until further notice.

Albany City Manager Sharon Subadan said Hurricane Michael left residents in a "utility crisis."

"We are trying desperately to keep our water infrastructure in place," she said Friday morning.

Georgia's Emergency Management Agency lists contacts for local emergency management agencies on its website.

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In Decatur County, Bainbridge was "battered," City Councilor Roslyn Palmer said. She estimates weeks before cleanup can be completed. That includes power, which Georgia Power estimates might not be restored until Tuesday.

So many trees fell in her yard that she and her husband lost count, Palmer said.

"We went in the closet with helmets on ... and we could hear the thud and thumping," she said. "One (tree falling) was like a sonic boom went off."

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