Progress shortens restoration estimate by full day

Alabama Power will have service restored today to 98 percent of Birmingham-area customers affected by this week’s extraordinary weather – a full day faster than previously estimated.

More than 3,600 line crew, tree crew and support personnel from Alabama Power and out-of-state have converged on the areas hit hardest by the severe storm that pummeled the Birmingham region Monday night. The storm, which was far more damaging than expected, brought record-setting torrential rains, flooding and winds as high as 55 mph that toppled trees and powerlines across metro Birmingham. At the peak, more than 220,000 customers were without power statewide.

Within 24 hours, Alabama Power and out-of-state crews had restored power to nearly 150,000 customers. At 10 a.m. today, about 14,000 Birmingham-area customers remained without power.
   
Crews from 15 states and from as far away as Virginia, Oklahoma and Ohio have been working with an expanded force of Alabama Power crews called in from across the state to restore power as quickly as possible. Alabama Power crews who were assisting communities in other states with restoration work following Hurricane Irene were called back to Alabama before Monday night’s severe weather and were working to restore power immediately after the storm passed.   

Hazardous conditions, including downed trees and rain-swollen streams, remain a problem in some areas of metro Birmingham. Alabama Power customers should use extreme caution, and adhere to the following safety tips: 

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

Generator safety

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, so:

• 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 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.

If your power is out or you see a hazardous situation, such as a downed line, please call Alabama Power’s automated reporting system at 1-800-888-APCO (2726).

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