Alyson Fuqua, a spokeswoman for the company's Anniston-based eastern division, said that an equipment malfunction led to the outage.
“We had a technical voltage issue with a transformer located on Highland Avenue which occurred around 6:20 this morning,” Fuqua said. “The repairs to the transformer are still underway, but we were able to pick up customers through other power sources and restore their electricity.”
Fuqua said the transformer still needs to be replaced, but work on the damaged equipment should not affect customers. Typically, a transformer can be replaced in a matter of hours, but the work depends on ensuring the right crew and equipment are available, she said.
“We are working to replace the damaged transformer as soon as possible,” Fuqua said. “The last time I spoke with the distribution manager, he said all of the equipment had arrived from Birmingham but he was still waiting on the right crew to arrive.”
Homeowners were not the only ones affected by the power outages this morning. Affected areas included parts of historic Anniston, including the country club on Highland Avenue, medical clinics near eastern Anniston’s two hospitals and Anniston City Schools.
Anniston City Schools Superintendent Joan Frazier said Anniston High School lost power around 6:40 a.m.
“Alabama Power worked with my maintenance department to help bypass the damaged power source so that they could restore power,” said Frazier.
Frazier said that some students witnessed the power outage when they arrived for school this morning, but they weren’t in the dark for long. Crews restored power at about 8 a.m., just after the start of the school day at 7:50 a.m.
“I’m quite grateful Alabama Power was able to restore power so quickly,” said Frazier. “I have about 650 students and adults in that building who rely on the electricity. I can’t cook, prepare meals, or have classes without power.”
Sgt. Josh Doggrell, shift supervisor at the Anniston Police Department said that the police department, at 1200 Gurnee Ave., lost power around 8:40 a.m. At the station, however, the outage lasted for only about 10 minutes. Doggrell said that as of 10 a.m., there were no reports of crime connected to the outages.
