Report a Tuscaloosa power outage to Alabama Power at 1-800-888-2726 or online, and check the outage map at outagemap.alabamapower.com.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts on this page come from Alabama Power’s Outages and Storm Center, outage alerts, restoration and streetlight pages, and from the City of Tuscaloosa.

Alabama Power is the electric utility for Tuscaloosa, with a local office at 915 Queen City Ave. To report an outage, call 1-800-888-2726 or log in to your Alabama Power account. To see where the power is out, use the outage map.

Who to call

  • Downed power line, fire or anyone hurt: 911
  • Alabama Power outages: 1-800-888-2726, or report online
  • Alabama Power customer service: 1-800-245-2244, as the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce lists it
  • City water outage or main break: Tuscaloosa 311, dial 311 or 205-248-5311

When the power goes out

  1. Look at the outage map. It shows outages across Alabama Power’s service area and the status of known ones.
  2. Report it at 1-800-888-2726 or online. Do not assume a neighbor has called.
  3. Stay far away from downed lines, Alabama Power says, and call 911.

Outage alerts

Alabama Power enrolls its customers in outage alerts automatically. They tell you when there is an outage in your area and when power is expected back. Choose text, email or phone, update your contact details or opt out of some alerts in your account.

How Alabama Power restores power

The company describes its system as a tree: the trunk feeds the limbs, the limbs feed the branches, and the branches reach homes. After a storm it works in this order, according to its restoration page:

  1. Safety and damage assessment, including clearing downed lines in public areas.
  2. Transmission lines and substations, which supply large areas.
  3. Main distribution lines along major roads, which can restore hundreds or thousands of customers with one repair.
  4. Neighborhood lines, tap lines and individual service lines, which take longer because each repair restores fewer customers.

Hospitals, emergency and public safety services come early in that order. Trees are the leading cause of outages in Alabama, which is 70% forested, the company says.

A short flicker usually means protective equipment found a problem and rerouted power to keep your lights on, avoiding a longer outage, Alabama Power says.

Streetlights

To report a streetlight that is out, flickering or damaged, use Alabama Power’s streetlight outage map. Find the light, click it and choose “Report Street Light Issue.” The pole number, on a yellow placard with black letters below the light’s arm, usually starts with LS, LR or LN.

Be ready for storms

Alabama faces frequent severe weather, the company notes. It suggests an emergency kit with enough to last at least three days without electricity or running water, and offers generator safety tips to guard against carbon monoxide, fire and electrical hazards. Never run a generator indoors.

Weather watches and warnings for Tuscaloosa County come from the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

What this means for you

  • Bookmark the outage map and save 1-800-888-2726 in your phone.
  • Report your outage even if the neighbors are out too.
  • Keep three days of supplies for storm season.

More guides: who to call at City Hall, moving to Tuscaloosa and road construction and closures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report a power outage in Tuscaloosa?

Call Alabama Power at 1-800-888-2726 or report it online by logging in to your Alabama Power account. Call 911 first if a line is down or anyone is in danger.

Is there an Alabama Power outage map?

Yes. The outage map at outagemap.alabamapower.com shows where customers are without power and lets you check the status of an outage.

How do I get Alabama Power outage alerts?

Alabama Power customers are enrolled in outage alerts automatically. Change how you receive them, by text, email or phone, in your Alabama Power account.

How do I report a streetlight out in Tuscaloosa?

Use Alabama Power’s online streetlight outage map. Find the light, click it and choose Report Street Light Issue. The pole number, on a yellow tag below the light arm, helps crews find it.