5 things you need to know about the Alabama power outage chaos
- A massive storm system swept through central Alabama overnight, leaving over 150,000 homes and businesses without power as of early this morning. The damage is concentrated in Jefferson, Shelby, and Tuscaloosa counties.
- Alabama Power reports more than 300 downed power lines and snapped utility poles from hurricane-force winds topping 75 mph. Crews are prioritizing hazard clearance before full restoration can begin.
- The outage is causing major disruptions: schools in Birmingham and Hoover have announced closures for today, and multiple traffic lights are dark along I-65 and I-459 creating dangerous rush hour conditions.
- Officials warn that restoration could take 48 to 72 hours in the hardest-hit areas due to extensive tree damage blocking road access to substations. Some neighborhoods near Lake Purdy may see delays until Saturday.
- Safety alerts are flooding social media: Alabama Power is urging customers to stay away from downed lines and report them immediately at 1-800-888-2726. Generators should never be used indoors due to carbon monoxide risk.