Thousands in Alabama without power after Hurricane Helene

Thousands of Alabama residents are without power as Hurricane Helene rages across the southeastern United States.

As of 9 a.m. Friday, Alabama Power reported that “there are approximately 3,000 Alabama Power customers without service statewide,” with 260 of those customers located in central Alabama. Crews are still assessing the damage and working to restore power.

Alabama Power spokesman Mike Jordan said the utility preemptively hired additional staff ahead of the storm and stationed crews in areas of “anticipated need.”

More:Helene wreaks havoc in the southeast; 8 dead; 4.4m in the dark: live updates

Jordan said restoration efforts will continue to focus on restoring power to the 3,000 customers without power in Alabama. However, once that work is completed, storm crews will move to Georgia to help restore power there.