Be Prepared for Outages
Preparing in advance of a power outage can help minimize the challenges you face if the lights go out. Follow these tips.
Call 911 immediately if you see a downed power line. Assume all downed lines are energized and dangerous. Downed power lines can energize the ground and nearby objects. Stay at least 30 feet away from any downed or low-hanging power line and any other object that could be energized. (Note: Please only call 911 if you actually see a downed wire. Do not assume a wire is down if your power is out.)
Gather Supplies
Electronics
- Fully charged cell phones, laptops and tablets.
- Car charger to charge devices if your power is out.
- Flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries.
- Hard-wired phone to report an outage or emergency. A plain, hard-wired phone can operate on power delivered through the phone line.
Warmth and Safety
- Extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.
- First-aid kit.
- Medications and other personal health items for each person.
Food and Water
- Emergency supply of bottled water and/or fill your bathtub with fresh water.
- Supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking. Don’t forget the can opener!
Know How to Report a Power Outage and Stay Informed
We may not know you are without power. Customers should always let us know if they are experiencing an outage, even if a neighbor has already reported it.
Online (Optimized for smartphone view)
- Report your outage online.
- Log into your online account to view a status update on a reported outage.
- View current outages on our 24/7 Power Center outage maps.
- During significant storms, we will share updates on our social media accounts.
Text Messaging
- To report an outage: Text OUT to 544487 (LIGHTS).
- If you’re not enrolled in text messaging, text REG to 544487 to get started.
- To receive the latest update for your reported outage: Text STAT to 544487.
Telephone
To report an outage call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877).
Accessibility
Customers with a communication disability can report an outage using the appropriate TTY/TDD relay service, our online form or text messaging.
