Storms Cause More Than 20,000 Power Outages In Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Heavy rain and thunderstorms in Alabama were accompanied by multiple tornado and flash flood warnings Wednesday, a weather event that caused thousands of power outages in the state.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham had constant tornado warnings in the region from about noon to 6:30 p.m. After about an hour without a confirmed tornado, the weather system picked up just after 8 p.m. and more tornadoes were spotted in Autauga, Chilton and Elmore counties.

As of 11 p.m., more than 20,000 customers lost power Wednesday, with nearly 2,100 of those in Jefferson County. Per capita, the county impacted most by power outages from Wednesday's storms was Cullman County, which reported close to 7,000 outages out of 27,000 customers.

Power Outage Safety Tips

Following a storm, Alabama Power encourages customers who may experience a power outage to follow these tips:

• Report your outage online at alabamapower.com. You can also call the automated reporting system at 1-800-888-APCO (2726).
• Turn off or unplug 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.
• Stay clear of fallen trees or debris where downed lines may be hidden.
• Call Alabama Power at 1-800-888-2726 or contact local law enforcement if you see downed lines.