Duracell this autumn has launched its More Power To Protect program, pledging more than 10 million hours of battery power to communities most susceptible to power outages because of strong fall storms.

To help launch the campaign, Duracell has joined forces with Paige Hemmis, star of ABC Network's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, a former EMT who has seen firsthand the impact weather can have on the lives of people in every part of the country.

Based on a study commissioned by Duracell and completed by meteorologist Robert Hart at Florida State University, Duracell found that thunderstorms and tornadoes are responsible for approximately 26.1 percent of the population experiencing outages over the last eight years.

The five cities that will receive donations are New York, Chicago, Knoxville, Tennessee, Springfield, Missouri and Wichita, Kansas.

Duracell's latest products, including the Duracell Daylite LED flashlights and Duracell Instant Chargers for cell phones, will go to these cities along with donations of batteries for flashlights and spot lights.

Lanterns and Duracell Daylite flashlights are safe alternatives to candles when the power goes out. Duracell's full line of Lithium Ion chargers including the Pocket Charger, Instant Charger and Powerhouse Charger allow families to keep their electronic devices running.