Today marks the start of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season. Summer is also the time for severe thunderstorms. Alabama Power employees are prepared for this summer’s severe weather, and will work as quickly and safely as possible to restore service.

During the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, Alabama Power suffered historic damage from Ivan and Katrina. Despite numerous challenges, the company restored power to the majority of customers in two to three days and to 99 percent of customers in eight days.

Since then, the company has continued to look for ways to further improve storm restoration efforts. Here are some of the activities that have taken place in preparation for hurricane season:

• The company has reviewed its storm plan and made appropriate adjustments in emergency storm assignments, staging area locations, logistics and communications equipment designed to improve response capabilities.

• The company has boosted the number of trained employees available for the Storm Center to make sure it has the personnel needed for 24-hour operations over lengthy storm-restoration efforts. The company continues to expand the number of employees available from other departments who can play a variety of supporting roles in storm recovery operations.

• The company has increased the inventory of materials for storm season, including pre-packaged kits that are ready for storm restoration. The kits contain hardware – including clamps, nuts and bolts – plus fuses, lightning arrestors and other material typically needed by crews that are making storm-related repairs. The company is working with its current list of suppliers to ensure they are ready to quickly provide materials and supplies during storm recovery operations.

• The company has conducted frequent discussions with utility companies that comprise our mutual assistance program. Under the program, investor-owned utilities in the region pledge to provide crews to assist Alabama Power when a major storm strikes, depending on their availability, and Alabama Power pledges to assist others when they need help.

STORM PREPARATION TIPS

Alabama Power employees take severe weather seriously, and customers should, too. Here’s what you can do to be better prepared for the summer’s storms and their potential aftermath:

Before the storm

1.  Charge cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices.

2.  Have several flashlights with extra batteries on hand, as well as a first-aid kit.
 
3.  Keep a three-day minimum supply of water – one gallon per person per day,
     plus three days’ supply of food and drink that does not have to be refrigerated.
 
4.  Use a battery-operated weather radio to stay informed.

5.  Turn down the thermostat to cool your house. If you keep doors and windows closed
     after the storm, you can keep your house relatively cool for about 48 hours.

6.  Seek shelter inside a sturdy building. In the event of a tornado, the safest place is on
     the lowest level. Choose a small room with no windows, such as an interior closet,
     hallway or bathroom.

After the storm

1.  If power is out, call Alabama Power’s automated reporting system at
     1-800-888-APCO (2726). It is the fastest way to report an outage or a hazardous
     situation, such as a downed power line.

2.  Turn off appliances to avoid any potential safety hazards when power is restored.

3.  Stay away from downed lines. Do not drive over lines or under low-hanging lines.
     Keep children and pets away from downed lines. Do not attempt to remove tree
     limbs or anything else caught in power lines. Call Alabama Power at
     1-800-888-APCO (2726) or contact a local law enforcement agency if downed
     lines are spotted.

4.  Stay clear of areas with fallen trees or debris where downed lines may be hidden.
     Stay away from areas where repair crews are working.

GENERATOR SAFETY TIPS 

More and more people are purchasing portable generators to keep appliances running during outages. While generators can be a convenience, they can also be deadly when used improperly.

1.  Read and follow carefully the manufacturer’s instructions before using a generator.

2.  Do not plug in portable generators to your household wiring. This can cause serious
     injury to you and to Alabama Power employees working on the lines in your
     neighborhood. Connect only essential appliances – such as freezers and
     refrigerators – directly to the generator.

3.  To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, operate generators outdoors in a
     well-ventilated, dry area that is away from air intakes to the home, including window
     air conditioners. A good location is an open shed. Never use a portable generator
     indoors or in attached garages.

To learn more about how Alabama Power responds to storms, and how
you can prepare for the season, log on to www.alabamapower.com.
Click on “About Us” and then “Storm Center.”
 

Contact: Michael Sznajderman 205-257-4155 or msznajde@southernco.com