Alabama Power spokesman Michael Sznajderman says you need to keep some things in mind when it comes to electricity, like go ahead and charge your cell phone now."We also advise that if your power goes out, to turn off appliances, turn off electricity, so when your power comes on, there's no issues as far as any kind of electric surge," explains Sznajderman, who adds that if you need to report an outage or downed power line, you can call their automate system at 1-800-888-APCO. Meanwhile, the folks at Lowe’s say you need to go ahead and have a family emergency kit put together.
"You never know when the moments going to hit, we get the warnings and everything but you just never know when you're going to need them," says Mitzi McGee, the Operational Manager of Lowe’s in Tuscaloosa. She suggests you include bottled water, canned food, flashlights, batteries, a generator, extension cords, a first aid kid, and even pet food, just in case.
"A good way to store it is in a large trash can with a lid on it and that way you're prepared you don't have to run out cause everyone know when a hurricane hits stores are flooded with people, items go quickly, replenishment is hard at times," says McGee.
And Lowe’s reminds you that even if you don’t need your kit for this storm, hurricane season hasn’t ended just yet, and winter is right around the corner.
