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August 28, 2005
Alabama Power Statement on Katrina
We are watching very closely the path that Hurricane Katrina takes. It is too early
to tell what the impact might be to the Alabama Power service territory, though
on the current path, it is certain that our customers would be impacted.
• On the current path, high winds could result in prolonged outages in and around the Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa and Birmingham areas.
• Personnel in the Alabama Power Storm Center continue to coordinate resources to address power restoration after Hurricane Katrina makes landfall.
• Alabama Power participates in a mutual assistance program with many other utilities which serves to provide crew support to utilities that have extraordinary needs.
• At this point, no Alabama Power crews have been released to assist other utilities.
• Like everyone else, we are monitoring the storm and watching with great interest the path that it takes. We have all company personnel on notice, many of whom are already active making preparations to respond, should it impact our service territory.
• The length of outages depends on the extent of the damage due to high winds and rain. Crews will be dispatched as soon as conditions are safe.
If you purchase a generator in anticipation of this storm PLEASE heed safety precautions
Generators can be deadly;
• Please read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before using a generator
• To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, operate generators outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area that is away from air intakes to the home and protected from direct exposure to rain or snow. A good location is an open shed, under a canopy or a carport. Never use a portable generator indoors or in attached garages.
• Most small gasoline powered generators purchased at home improvement stores are designed for appliances to be plugged directly into them rather than plugging the generator into the home's wiring. Be sure to use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge that is adequate for the appliance load. If you need to connect a generator directly to your home wiring, it should be done by a qualified electrical contractor, and a switch to disconnect your home wiring from the utility system should be installed and used before connecting the generator.
• Having a generator connected directly to household wiring without this switch can result in power from your generator feeding back into utility wires, creating a deadly threat to you, your neighbors and to repair crews.
As always, safety is the first priority in any storm restoration effort. Here are some important tips for customers to consider before, during and after the storm:
• Alabama Power gives priority to hospitals, water and sewer treatment facilities, police, fire and other critical customers for the overall safety and well-being of the community at large. Individuals with critical medical needs should consider making contingency plans in case of outages.
• SAFETY FIRST! Stay away from downed lines. Warn others to do the same. Beware of lines that are touching a vehicle. Stay away from the vehicle and the line. Do not drive over power lines lying on the road, and do not drive under low hanging lines. Keep children and pets away from downed lines. Always assume a downed power line is live. Do not attempt to remove tree limbs or anything else caught in power lines. Call Alabama Power at
800-888-APCO(2726) or a local law enforcement agency if downed lines are spotted.
• Do not connect portable generators to your household electrical 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.
• If your power is off, make sure you turn off your appliances to avoid any potential safety hazards when the power is restored.
• Keep freezer doors closed and sealed. Well-filled freezers keep most foods frozen for two to three days if the door is kept closed.
• Charge cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices before the
storm hits.
• 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.
Posted by Chris at August 28, 2005 04:07 PM