The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting severe weather Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning for large portions of Alabama. The weather could include strong tornadoes, heavy rain and damaging hail.

The most significant threat is in the northwestern part of the state, but severe storms are also possible in much of north-central Alabama.

NWS forecasters said during a briefing Tuesday morning that the severe weather could extend for many hours, from mid-afternoon Wednesday through the overnight hours and beyond daylight Thursday morning. As much as 3½ inches of rain could fall in some sections of north-central Alabama, causing isolated flooding.

Alabama Power is monitoring the weather conditions and crews are ready to deploy, if needed. Alabama Power customers also need to be prepared for the potential of severe weather.

Here are some tips for being prepared and staying safe, before the storm and after:

Before the storm

• Charge cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices.
• Have several flashlights with extra batteries on hand, as well as a first-aid kit.
• Have on hand a three-day minimum supply of water – one gallon per person per day, plus three days’ supply of food and drink that does not have to be refrigerated.
• Use a battery-operated weather radio to stay informed.
• If you have outdoor holiday displays, check to make sure they are secure. Unplug any holiday lights. Remove and safely store any holiday inflatable displays.

If a severe weather or tornado watch or warning is issued for your area, seek shelter inside a sturdy building. In the event of a tornado, the safest place is on the lowest level. Choose a small room with no windows, such as an interior closet, hallway or bathroom. Seek additional protection by getting underneath large, solid pieces of furniture. Mattresses and blankets can also offer some protection from flying debris. Wearing a helmet can also potentially provide additional protection from injury. Avoid automobiles and mobile homes, which provide almost no protection from tornadoes. If you are caught outside, lie flat in a depression or on other low ground and wait for the storm to pass.

After the storm

• If power is out, call Alabama Power’s automated reporting system at
  1-800-888-APCO (2726). It is the fastest way to report an outage or a hazardous situation, such as a downed power line.

• Turn off appliances to avoid any potential safety hazards when power is restored.
• Stay away from downed lines. Do not drive over lines or under low-hanging lines. Keep children and pets away from downed lines. Do not attempt to remove tree limbs or anything else caught in power lines. Call Alabama Power at 1-800-888-APCO (2726) or contact a local law enforcement agency if downed lines are spotted.
• Stay clear of areas with fallen trees or debris where downed lines may be hidden. Stay away from areas where repair crews are working.

 Generator safety tips

More and 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. Here are some tips for using a generator safely:

• 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.

 To learn more about how Alabama Power responds to storms and how you can prepare, visit our Weather Center.