In light of Hurricane Michael’s impact in the Florida Panhandle and the southeast portion of Alabama, Alabama Power has mobilized resources, employees and contractors for aid, according to officials.

Between 600 and 700 Alabama Power and contract crews are being deployed to the southeast area of the state to support Alabama Power teams already on the ground. The crews are staging closer to where the storm is expected to cause damage.

Hurricane Michael made landfall earlier this afternoon, and brought high winds and rain to the state, along with the panhandle. The coupling of high winds and rain caused trees to topple over and limbs to fall on power lines.

“Because of the magnitude of the storm, damage is likely to substations, transmission lines and distribution lines,” the press release stated. “Alabama Power will work safely and as efficiently as possible to restore power. Safety will be of utmost importance for Alabama Power crews and customers.

“Alabama Power is also communicating with its sister companies and other investor-owned utilities through its mutual assistance agreements. The agreements provide for utilities to move quickly to help each other, if needed, following a natural disaster or other significant disruption.”

As a precautionary measure, AP will be reducing power for units 1 and 3 at its Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan. This is for safety reasons, officials said. Safety systems at nuclear power plants are designed to withstand significant hazard events.

Once a hurricane passes, here are some tips from AP to stay safe:

• stay off flooded roads

• if a power outage is present or a downed line is in the road, report it at www.alabamapower.com or call 1-800-888-2726

• stay away from downed lines and keep pets away

• stay clear of damaged or fallen trees where lines could be hidden

More people are purchasing portable generators to keep appliances running during outages. While generators can be a convenience, they can also be deadly when used improperly.

Read and follow carefully the manufacturer’s instructions before using a generator.

Do not plug in portable generators to your household wiring. This can cause serious injury to you and to Alabama Power employees working on the lines in your neighborhood. Connect only essential appliances – such as freezers and refrigerators – directly to the generator.

To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, operate generators outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area that is away from air intakes to the home, including window air conditioners. A good location is an open shed. Never use a portable generator indoors or in attached garages.