CULLMAN, Ala. – With forecasts calling for a mix of winter precipitation and rapidly falling temperatures, Cullman Power Board officials are urging residents to prepare now for the possibility of extended power outages.
Allison Bright, chief executive officer of Cullman Power Board, said advance preparation is the most important step customers can take to protect their homes and families during severe winter weather.
“Preparation ahead of time is the most important step residents can take,” Bright said. “We encourage customers to have an emergency kit ready that includes flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, bottled water, nonperishable food, medications and warm blankets or clothing. Cell phones and portable battery packs should be fully charged before weather conditions worsen.”
Bright also emphasized home readiness and family planning as part of winter preparedness.
“Residents should also take steps to winterize their homes by sealing drafts, insulating exposed pipes and knowing how to safely shut off water if pipes freeze,” she said. “Families should discuss a plan for checking on elderly neighbors or relatives and identify a warming location to relocate if an outage becomes extended. Being prepared helps reduce stress and keeps everyone safer during winter weather events.”
For residents who depend on electrically powered medical equipment or life-sustaining devices, Bright said personal planning is critical well before severe weather arrives.
“Residents who rely on electrically powered medical or life-sustaining equipment should make advance plans well before severe weather arrives,” she said. “This includes consulting with health care providers about emergency options, ensuring backup batteries are charged and identifying an alternate location, like a family member’s home or medical facility, where power is less likely to be disrupted during extended outages.”
Bright cautioned that while crews work to restore power as quickly as conditions allow, uninterrupted service cannot be guaranteed during severe weather.
“While Cullman Power Board works to restore power as safely and quickly as possible, we cannot guarantee uninterrupted service during severe weather,” she said. “Customers with critical medical needs are encouraged to be personally prepared and have a backup plan in place. Individuals with critical needs should not rely on restoration priority.”
Cold-weather outages can also introduce serious safety hazards, particularly related to heating and fire risks. Bright said residents should use extreme caution when attempting to stay warm.
“Generators, grills, camp stoves or propane heaters should never be used indoors or in enclosed areas, as these can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide,” she said. “Generators should only be operated outdoors and far away from doors, windows and vents.”
She also urged careful use of alternative lighting and heating sources.
“If candles are used, they should be kept away from flammable materials and never left unattended,” Bright said. “Space heaters should be plugged directly into wall outlets, kept clear of furniture and curtains and turned off when sleeping or leaving the room. We also strongly recommend working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms with fresh batteries throughout the home.”
Ice accumulation and extreme cold can place significant strain on the electrical system, leading to more complex and hazardous restoration conditions, according to Bright.
“Significant ice covered trees and power lines can lead to broken lines or damaged equipment, while freezing temperatures can slow repair work and make conditions more hazardous for crews,” she said.
When widespread outages occur, Bright said restoration follows a structured process designed to restore service safely and efficiently.
“Crews first address dangerous situations and restore power to substations and main feeder lines that serve the largest number of customers,” she said. “From there, they move to smaller neighborhood outages and individual service lines. Critical facilities such as hospitals, emergency services, water systems and major traffic intersections are prioritized throughout the process. This approach allows power to be restored to the greatest number of customers as quickly and safely as possible.”
Cullman Power Board uses multiple communication tools to keep customers informed before, during and after severe winter events.
“Cullman Power Board uses multiple communication channels during severe weather, including our website, online outage map, social media platforms and local media partners,” Bright said. “These tools allow us to share outage updates, restoration progress, safety information and operational changes as conditions evolve.”
Bright encouraged customers to report outages promptly and to rely on official sources for updates.
“Following CPB on social media, checking our official website and relying on trusted local news outlets are the best ways to stay informed before, during and after an outage,” she said. “We also remind residents to report downed power lines immediately and to treat them as energized and never approach them.”
Get more information at www.cullmanpowerboard.com.
