As Tropical Storm Ida moves toward the Alabama and surrounding Gulf Coast shorelines, Alabama Power wants customers to know that employees are prepared to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore electric service that may be impacted by severe weather.

By being prepared, Alabama Power was able to restore power in record time to the majority of customers affected by devastating storms such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Since then, the company has continued to look for ways to further improve storm preparation and restoration efforts. Here are some of the improvements that have been implemented:

• 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 increased the inventory of severe weather supplies, including storm restoration kits. These kits contain essential parts – including clamps, nuts and bolts – plus fuses, lightning arrestors and other items 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 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 is in frequent contact with utility companies that are partners in 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 severe 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.  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 helpful, they can also be deadly when used improperly.

1.  Read and follow 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, log on to www.alabamapower.com. Click on “About Us” and then “Storm Center.”