Preparing For a Storm

Have you done everything you can to prepare yourself for severe weather and power outages? If not, please take these simple steps now:

Locate the following supplies, and keep them in your storm shelter area:

• A Flashlight (Do not use candles during an outage)
• A Portable Radio
• Batteries
• Food and water
• Important telephone numbers (write these numbers down and keep them posted with your tornado emergency kit.)
• Report an outage to Southern Power District: 1-888-484-2470, or your local service center.
• When major, lengthy outages occur, Southern will provide ongoing restoration updates on our information hotline, at 1-800-652-9809. Select option #4.
• If you have access to a computer during a lengthy outage, check out our Storm Information Connection information to keep on top of the progress of restoration, and find a variety of other information including safety tips, emergency contact and shelter information, etc.

Consider these tips in planning for a storm:

• Cordless telephones will not work during an outage. Be sure that you have a land line telephone to use during an outage.
• Use surge protection equipment for your computer and computer equipment, and keep these devices off when storms are heading your way.
• Turn off all electrical equipment you were using when the power went out.
• Listen to local radio stations for outage updates, or in the event of major outages, you can contact Southern's Information Hotline. (See number above)
• Make yourself aware of the proper use of a portable generator, in the event you will use one during an extended outage. Never use the generator inside of your home, and consult an electrician for proper installation of the device.