As Tropical Storm Zeta is forecast to make landfall Wednesday evening along the Gulf Coast, Alabama Power is encouraging its customers to stay weather-aware and have their storm-readiness plans in place.

Tropical Storm Zeta is expected to become a hurricane when it enters the Gulf of Mexico. (NOAA)

Before the storm, customers can prepare their homes by:

• Charging smart devices.
• Purchasing a battery-operated charger and keeping it fully charged at all times.
• Staying aware. Watch for approaching storms and tune in to a weather radio for 24/7 updates from the National Weather Service.
• Checking the weather forecast before heading outdoors or on the roads. Postpone outdoor activities when thunderstorms are forecast.
• Avoiding contact with conductors of electricity, appliances, metal objects and water.
• Updating your emergency preparedness kit.
• Bringing outdoor pets inside before the storm hits.
• Taking safe shelter immediately inside a sturdy building, away from windows, doors and electrical appliances.

The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for Zeta extending from Morgan City, Louisiana, to the border of Alabama and Mississippi. A tropical storm warning has been issued for counties throughout southwest and south-central Alabama, as well as southeast Mississippi and the western Florida Panhandle. A storm surge warning has been issued for coastal Alabama extending to Navarre, Florida. Gusty winds and a few small tornadoes are possible along with locally heavy rainfall as the tropical system moves through the state midweek.

Alabama Power said its storm team is ready to support customers who may be affected in Alabama.

Last month, Alabama Power safely and efficiently responded to support customers and communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally, the first hurricane to make landfall on the Alabama coastline since Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

During this active hurricane season, Alabama Power’s storm team assisted communities in Louisiana following the significant impact of Hurricanes Laura and Delta.

Learn more about how to prepare for severe weather at www.alabamapower.com/storm.

Stay weather aware with James Spann and his weather team at AlabamaWx.com.