June 1 marked the beginning of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, which extends through Nov. 30. 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 as safely as possible to restore service after storms strike. During the past two hurricane seasons, Alabama Power suffered historic damage from Ivan and Katrina. And yet, 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.

Despite our successes, we’re always looking for ways to improve our storm restoration efforts. Over the past several months, a number of activities have taken place in preparation for hurricane season:

• The company has reviewed all aspects of its storm plan and has made adjustments in staffing, logistics and communications designed to improve response capabilities. Expansion and equipment upgrades are also under way at the company’s Storm Center in Birmingham.

• On staffing, 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 has also expanded the number of employees available from other departments who can play a variety of supporting roles in storm recovery operations.

• The company has purchased satellite communication equipment to improve communications with remote staging sites. The equipment will provide key employees with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service, intranet service, as well as computer-based data tracking and mapping capabilities between company offices and field personnel at remote locations. The satellite equipment is expected to strengthen communications capabilities across the system during storm recovery operations.

• We’ve increased our inventory of materials for storm season, including the number of pre-packaged material 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. We’ve also expanded the company’s list of vendors who are ready to quickly provide materials and supplies during storm recovery operations.

• We’ve conducted frequent discussions with other utility companies that comprise our regional, mutual assistance program. Under the mutual assistance program, other 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 are some things that Alabamians 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 can be hiding. 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 individuals can prepare for the season, log on to www.alabamapower.com. Click on “News & Issues” and then “Storm Information.”