POWERGRAMS

The occasional threat of severe weather – especially during the "official" tornado and hurricane seasons – is familiar to Alabamians. It's as much a part of life in the Yellowhammer State as college football tailgating and grandma's recipe for apple pie. Fortunately for customers, whenever severe weather happens, Alabama Power's Storm Center is there. In advance of any potential weather event, the Storm Center staff is on hand, monitoring the situation, providing the public with regular updates via social media and ensuring that people, equipment and necessary resources are in place to respond quickly and effectively to the storm and its aftermath. "It's all about preparation, having a plan and a process," said Storm Center Operations Manager Corey Sweeney. "We make sure our customers have access to the latest forecasts and information to help keep them as safe as possible – the same information we use to plan and make decisions about logistics and the staging of personnel and materials. Any time severe weather happens, we're ready." That process continues to be improved by advances in technology, including the use of drones and satellite phones. Alabama Power can account for each of the approximately 1.5 million poles and towers that support the company's more than 84,000 miles of power lines, with that information available to the Storm Center and crews in the field via laptop. "We know how many poles are broken, where wires are down and how many customers are affected," Sweeney said. "Our program builds materials lists, so we know exactly what's needed to get the lights back on. We don't have situations where we send two or three crews when all that's needed is two people and a bucket truck." Sweeney began working at Alabama Power in 1993 after graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in electrical engineering. He worked in the field until 2010, when he moved to the company's Corporate Headquarters for a position in Contract Services. Sweeney has led the Storm Center since 2022. Beyond supporting Alabama Power's operations during storms, the Storm Center coordinates and prepares the logistical teams that start assessing and reporting damages as soon as bad weather passes. It is the communications hub for coordinating with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and county EMAs, as well as news media and other organizations involved in response and recovery. When weather hits Alabama especially hard, an influx of crews and resources from electric utilities in other states (most immediately, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power, Alabama Power's sister Southern Company utilities) can be called in. Mutual assistance is often critical to restoring power as quickly as possible. Typically, that can involve as many as 3,000 to 5,000 workers from outside Alabama. Storm Center staff identify and activate staging sites for the additional personnel and their equipment, as well as housing and feeding them for the duration of their work. Mutual assistance is facilitated through the Southeastern Electric Exchange (SEE). Established in 1933 and headquartered in Atlanta, SEE is a nonprofit trade association of investor-owned electric utilities that includes 49 operating companies in 21 states and the District of Columbia. In a typical year, SEE members take part in eight to 10 events where mutual assistance is provided. That includes events in which Alabama Power sends people and resources to assist in other states. For example, in September 2024, the company sent more than 1,000 personnel to assist in response to and recovery from Hurricane Helene, the deadliest to strike the U.S. mainland in 20 years, with catastrophic damage in five states. The Storm Center's excellent operations have been consistently recognized throughout the years. Alabama Power has received more Edison Electric Institute awards than any other U.S. utility. "We're the best," Sweeney declared. "I don't say that to brag, but to emphasize the effort we put into our work and the pride we take in being able to deliver for our customers. We just keep working our process. And we always come back to the same question: How can we be better prepared for the next time?" By Mark Kelly 2 When bad weather hits, Storm Center manages resources to quickly restore power Apprentice Lineman Jonathan Hatchell (foreground) and Bennett removed a downed tree after storms. (Phil Free) Corey Sweeney (left) has led the Storm Center since 2022. (Phil Free)

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