Efforts have turned to assessment and restoration following the wave of severe storms and devastating tornadoes that moved through the state Wednesday causing a significant number of power outages across Alabama Power territory. While the information is being gathered, it is clear that there has been extensive damage to our system. Customers should expect restoration times to exceed that of normal storm outages, and some outages could be prolonged. At the peak of the storm Wednesday night, 412,229 customers were without power. That compares to the 404,000 outages caused by the Blizzard of 1993, and the 239,000 outages that were the result of Hurricane Frederic. 

At 10 a.m. today, the number of customer outages statewide was 348,467, which is down by nearly 64,000 from Wednesday night’s peak. Outages by region of the state were:

• Birmingham area (Jefferson, Shelby counties) – 167,438
• Eastern areas (Including Anniston, Gadsden, Oxford) – 34,582
• Western areas (including Bibb, Walker, Tuscaloosa counties) – 139,684
• Southern areas (including Selma, Montgomery, Opelika) – 6,763

Personnel in the Alabama Power Storm Center are coordinating resources to address power restoration. Alabama Power crews and crews assisting the company from other states were working where they could overnight to restore power.  Additional crews were preparing to join them at first light to expand restoration efforts and better assess the extent of the damage. Restoration estimates cannot be made until a full inspection and evaluation of the damage is complete. 

Safety tips

• If power is out, please 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.
• Turn off appliances to avoid any potential safety hazards when power is restored.
• 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.
• 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.
• Read and follow carefully the manufacturer’s instructions before using a generator.
• 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.
• 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.

Alabama Power crews will work as fast as safety allows. Before neighborhood lines can be repaired, crews must first repair larger lines that bring power to the neighborhoods. 

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