Did the Alabama Power Company warn people to stay out of a company lake because of flesh-eating bacteria?

The Alabama Power Company released an authentic statement directly debunking a social media post that carries a fake news release. Although the social media post is made to look like an official company document, the signature — "Anthony Gotchagain" — is a clear giveaway that the document is not genuine.

The post falsely claims that necrotizing fasciitis — also known as flesh-eating bacteria — was found in the power company's Lewis Smith Lake.

A public relations representative with the power company responded to Lead Stories with:

"A prank Facebook post warning residents to stay out of Smith Lake this summer is fake. Smith Lake and the rest of our company's lakes around Alabama are open as normal. We encourage visitors to observe the usual safety guidelines."

Lewis Smith Lake is part of the power company's system of reservoirs and recreational waterways.