For many Alabamians, April 27, 2011 is a day of infamy.
Within a 14-hour period, a historic severe weather outbreak unleashed 62 tornadoes across Alabama – the most ever recorded in the state in a single day.
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The storms and tornadoes caused as many as 252 deaths and 2,200 injuries and destroyed homes and businesses. Communities across the state were in utter devastation.
The storms left more than 670,000 Alabama Power customers – nearly half of everyone the company served – without electricity.
Damage to the company’s infrastructure was unprecedented. Alabama Power had more transmission lines out of service than ever seen before.
Despite the massive destruction, the men and women of Alabama Power – some of whom were among those who lost homes – quickly answered the call to rebuild the electric system and help restore hope to communities in need.
To get the lights back on for the most customers as quickly as possible, the company diverted power around storm-stricken areas, when able. Crews installed hundreds of sectionalizing devices, allowing electric load to be moved from one substation to another while not interrupting service to unaffected customers. Because it takes weeks to rebuild a substation, crews set up mobile substations rolled in on huge tractor-trailers until permanent rebuilds could be completed.
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Bill Snow / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Bill Snow / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Marvin Gilmore / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama News Center)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Angela Chramer / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Bill Snow / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Bill Snow / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
A before and after look of the damage to the Kaul substation in Midfield. (Alabama Power)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Marvin Gilmore / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Bill Snow / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Bill Snow / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Angela Chramer / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Angela Chramer / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Angela Chramer / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Tom Dorer / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Grant Musgrove / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama News Center)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Tom Dorer / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Bill Snow / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Angela Chramer / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Angela Chramer / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Angela Chramer / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Angela Chramer / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Wynter Byrd / Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
The April 2011 storms and tornadoes did historic damage to Alabama Power’s infrastructure. More than 6,000 outside resources from 22 states assisted Alabama Power in the restoration. (Alabama NewsCenter)
With the help of more than 6,000 outside workers from 22 states who assisted in the restoration, Alabama Power crews replaced more than 7,600 poles, 3,000 transformers and 890 miles of power lines – enough to stretch from Birmingham to Washington, D.C. The company, in its preparations for the storm, had planned to set up six staging areas for internal and outside crews – the most the company had ever needed. At the peak of restoration, the company had 11 staging areas fully operating.
The company repaired or replaced 438 transmission structures and rebuilt two substations that were destroyed. In addition, crews repaired 18 other substations that were damaged.
“Our line crews and support personnel, along with suppliers and emergency management associations, responded in an incredible manner,” said Alabama Power General Manager Pam Boyd. “Working together, we were able to provide a sense of normalcy for Alabama communities.”
Within seven days, service had been restored to all customers who were able to receive it.
“It was a very rewarding experience to repair that much infrastructure in record time,” Boyd said.
Alabama Power encourages customers to always be prepared for the potential of severe weather. Learn about storm safety and creating a storm plan by visiting the Alabama Power Storm Center at www.alabamapower.com.
