Alabama Power Outage Leaves Over 150,000 Residents in Darkness Amid Severe Storms
A widespread Alabama power outage struck the state on Tuesday evening, leaving more than 150,000 customers without electricity as severe thunderstorms and high winds battered the region. The event unfolded between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM Central Standard Time across multiple counties, with the hardest-hit areas including Jefferson, Shelby, and Tuscaloosa counties. According to Alabama Power officials, the outages were primarily caused by downed power lines and damaged infrastructure from falling trees and debris, as gusts exceeded 60 miles per hour. Emergency crews have been dispatched to assess hazards and restore service, though reports indicate full recovery may take 24 to 48 hours due to widespread damage. Authorities urge residents to avoid downed lines, report outages via the Alabama Power app, and seek shelter in designated warming centers if needed. The National Weather Service Birmingham has issued a warning for continued instability through Wednesday morning.