Hurricane Michael: Alcohol ban lifted in Panama City, Bay County

Crews from Alabama Power work to restore service to areas hard-hit by Hurricane Michael. (Contributed photo/Gulf Power)

Bay County and Panama City have lifted the alcohol bans in place since Hurricane Michael devastated the area last week.

The Panama City Beach City Council changed the curfew within its city limits to 10 p.m. - 6 a.m. and lifted the alcohol moratorium, allowing liquor to be sold from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Bay County took the same action shortly afterwards and kept the same hours.

The Panama City Beach council said it had found that "although a public emergency remains in many portions of incorporated and unincorporated Bay County, conditions in the city have been sufficiently restored so as to permit the sale, dispensing and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the city."

Anyone other than first responders, utility workers or staff at restaurants and other service industries who are commuting to work will be stopped if they are out driving after 10 p.m. officials said.

Panama City Beach, Bay County and Gulf County had all prohibited the sale of alcohol as recovery from Hurricane Michael continues. As of Friday morning, about half of Bay and Gulf counties remain without power and officials estimate it could take until next week to restore power to the entire area.

Thirty-five Florida counties remain under a state of emergency after the Category 4 storm slammed into the coast last week, toppling trees and destroying homes and businesses. Michael has been blamed for 35 deaths - 25 in Florida, three in North Carolina, one in Georgia and six in Virginia.

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