Alabama Power has mobilized resources, employees and contractors in advance of Hurricane Michael, which will make landfall today on the Florida Panhandle.

Between 600 and 700 Alabama Power and contract crews are being deployed to the southeast area of the state to support Alabama Power teams already on the ground. The crews are staging closer to where the storm is expected to cause damage.

Hurricane Michael will bring high winds and rain to the southeast and eastern portions of Alabama. The winds and soaking rains are expected to bring down trees and tree limbs onto power lines and could cause flooding in some areas.

Because of the magnitude of the storm, damage is likely to substations, transmission lines and distribution lines. Alabama Power will work safely and as efficiently as possible to restore power. Safety will be of utmost importance for Alabama Power crews and customers.    

Alabama Power is also communicating with its sister companies and other investor-owned utilities through its mutual assistance agreements. The agreements provide for utilities to move quickly to help each other, if needed, following a natural disaster or other significant disruption.

Teams at Alabama Power’s Plant Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan are prepared for the storm. Southern Company subsidiary Southern Nuclear, which operates Plant Farley on behalf of Alabama Power, is reducing power for units 1 and 2 as a precautionary safety measure. Safety systems at nuclear power plants are designed to withstand significant hazard events.

Safety is a priority at Alabama Power and should be for our customers. Here is some safety information for hurricanes and severe storms:       

Preparing for a hurricane:

• Know your community hurricane evacuation routes, in case an evacuation is necessary.

• Determine where your family will meet.

• Make sure you have a way to contact your family.

• Keep cellphones and electronic devices charged.

• Stay informed with a battery-operated weather radio.

• Stock an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, cash and copies of your critical information.

• Keep a three-day supply of water – a gallon per person per day – and three days’ supply of nonperishable food on hand.

• Trim shrubs and trees close to your home to minimize damage to your property.

• Turn down the thermostat in your home. It can help keep your home cool for up to 48 hours after a power disruption.

• Bring in outdoor items, such as furniture, decorations, garbage cans, etc.

During a hurricane:

• Seek shelter in a sturdy building, away from windows and doors.

• Monitor your weather radio for updates.

After a hurricane:

• Stay off flooded roads.

• If there is a power outage or a downed line, report it at www.alabamapower.com or call Alabama Power’s automated reporting system at 1-800-888-APCO (2726).  Turn off appliances to avoid any potential safety hazards when power is restored.

• Stay away from downed lines and keep pets away.

• Stay clear of damaged and fallen trees where a downed line may be hidden. Stay away from areas where repair crews are working.

   

Generator safety tips

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, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), provides reliable, affordable energy to more than 1.4 million customers across the state. Learn more at www.alabamapower.com.