Utilities Board of the City of Cullman CEO Allison Bright (LinkedIn)
CULLMAN, Ala. – With early cold fronts beginning to roll across Alabama, Utilities Board of the City of Cullman CEO Allison Bright says her team has already been hard at work ensuring the city’s electrical system is ready for winter’s challenges.
From tree trimming and infrastructure upgrades to new technology and coordinated emergency planning, Bright outlined how the utility prepares for whatever the season may bring.
“One of the most effective steps we take to prepare for severe weather is proactive tree trimming,” Bright said. “Keeping rights-of-way clear of danger trees is a key defense against storm-related outages.”
Beyond vegetation management, the power board continues to invest in infrastructure improvements.
“We regularly invest in infrastructure upgrades such as pole replacements, guy wire modifications and equipment rating enhancements,” she explained. “Any time we replace aging equipment, we’re strengthening the system — not just for everyday reliability, but especially for extreme weather conditions.”
Bright also highlighted new technology that’s changing how crews respond during storms.
“We have also deployed SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) technology at our substations,” she said. “As we continue expanding this system, it allows us to monitor and respond to outages more quickly and safely during winter storms.”
Cullman Power Board’s online outage map has become one of its most popular public tools, offering customers real-time updates during service interruptions.
“We’re actively exploring ways to expand our communication tools, including mobile alerts and text notifications,” Bright said. “Our goal is to provide real-time updates through the channels that work best for each customer, ensuring timely and accessible information during outages.”
Recognizing that not every customer is online, Bright added, “We work closely with local partners to ensure outage updates reach as many people as possible. In addition to our website and outage map, we rely on trusted community networks and word-of-mouth to share timely, accurate information with those who may not be online.”
Preparation begins long before a storm hits.
“When winter weather is in the forecast, we take a proactive approach,” Bright said. “We typically supplement our standby crew with additional employees on call and equipped with company vehicles to respond quickly if needed.”
The power board also coordinates with other utilities for extra support when necessary.
“We maintain mutual aid relationships with other utilities so that extra help can be brought in quickly for large-scale restoration efforts if needed,” she said.
When it comes to restoring power, Bright said the approach follows a clear order.
“We begin with substations and primary power lines (known as feeders), which serve the largest number of homes and businesses,” she explained. “Once those are back online, we address smaller neighborhood outages and then individual service lines.”
Throughout the process, critical facilities remain a top concern.
“We prioritize hospitals, assisted living centers, nursing homes, emergency services and major traffic intersections,” Bright said. “While schools are often closed during winter storms, if they are in session, we work to restore them as quickly as reasonably possible.”
She added that grocery stores and other large public buildings may also be prioritized if they can serve as temporary warming spaces for residents.
“Every storm is unique,” she noted. “While we have restoration plans in place, the extent and nature of damage can vary widely. Whether during routine disruptions or major events, our focus remains on the safety and well-being of our customers in the city of Cullman.”
When outages last several hours or longer, the Cullman Power Board coordinates with local officials to provide relief options.
“We coordinate with City officials to identify warming centers or other safe locations for residents,” Bright said. “Each situation is unique, so we help assess community needs and available resources to develop an appropriate response plan.”
While the utility does not have a separate budget category for winter hardening, Bright said the work is built into its regular operations.
“Many of our annual infrastructure projects contribute to overall system resilience,” she said. “All upgrades (including pole replacements, line improvements and other enhancements) are designed to meet local standards for temperature, wind, ice, snow and electrical load.”
Funding opportunities are always on the radar.
“State and federal funding for large-scale hardening projects typically becomes available after major storms that qualify for FEMA assistance,” she said. “We actively monitor these opportunities to strengthen our infrastructure while minimizing costs for our customers.”
As winter approaches, Bright emphasized that preparation is year-round and community-driven. Through ongoing upgrades, technology and partnerships, the Cullman Power Board aims to keep residents safe, warm and connected through even the coldest months ahead.
Find the Cullman Power Board online at www.cullmanpowerboard.com. Outages can be reported by calling 256-734-2343 or texting 833-92-POWER (833-927-6937).
