Winter Weather

• Avoid being on the roads.
  
• Outdoor pets should be brought inside. 
  
• Stay indoors as much as possible. If you absolutely must go outside, keep the duration of your trips short.
  
• Keep an emergency supply kit in your car if you cannot avoid driving. Be extra careful driving and remain aware of your surroundings. 
  
• DO NOT use a stove to supply heat for your home. Likewise, do not use outdoor grills, gas/propane heaters or generators indoors. 
  
• DO NOT use generators indoors. Plug appliances directly into your generator. DO NOT plug your generator into your household’s electrical wiring. Learn more generator safety tips. 
  
• Stay away from downed lines and DO NOT pull tree limbs off downed power lines or make repairs to Alabama Power equipment. Call 1-800-888-2726 and wait for help.

Knowing the following terms will help you better prepare for when a winter storm does happen.  

• OUTLOOK – Alerts the public to the possibility of winter storm conditions, typically issued 3-5 days prior to a storm.
  
  
• WATCH – Alerts the public to the possibility of winter storm conditions, issued 12-48 hours before the storm.
  
  
• ADVISORY – The winter storm conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous, but if caution is exercised, they should not become life-threatening.
  
  
• WARNING – Hazardous weather is occurring or imminent. Warnings are usually issued 12-24 hours prior to a winter storm beginning.
  
  
• WIND CHILL – The cooling effect of wind on exposed skin. The wind chill factor is what your body feels the temperature is, not the actual temperature. Your body’s temperature cools as the wind removes the heat surrounding it. Knowing the wind chill factor can help you determine how long it will take before your exposed skin is susceptible to frostbite.