If You Lose Power
Here are some steps to guide you through a power outage. First, find out if your neighbors are also without power.
If Only Your Power is Out
Check Your Circuit Breakers or Fuses
How to Check Your Breakers or Fuses
If no breaker is tripped or fuse is blown, the problem may be isolated to your individual service. Please let us know by reporting your outage.
If Your Neighbor's Power is Out Too
Report Your Outage
Our system works best when it receives plenty of information to analyze. Please report your outage even if a neighbor has already reported their power is out. The more information we have, the better.
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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 smart-phone 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.
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How to Safely Manage Through a Power Outage
Power Outage Tips
- If you’re using a backup generator for emergency power, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use it safely.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. These appliances are well insulated, so food will keep for several hours if doors are closed as much as possible.
- Use a flashlight or battery-powered lantern for light. Use care when burning candles; open flames are a dangerous fire hazard.
- To safeguard your equipment and appliances – and to ease the initial load when power is restored – turn off or unplug televisions, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, computers and appliances that use electric motors, such as refrigerators, freezers or air conditioners, until power is restored. Leave an incandescent light on so you know when the power comes back on.
Cold Weather Outages
- Keep warm safely. Put on extra clothes or wrap up in blankets.
- DO NOT use gas stoves, charcoal grills or other open-flame heat sources for warmth. Deadly carbon monoxide gas - which is odorless and invisible - may build up in your home without you realizing it.
Thunderstorm Outages
- Do not take a shower or bath during a thunderstorm. Current from a lightning strike can travel through water pipes.
- Avoid talking on a hard-wired telephone. Telephone lines can conduct electricity, too.
Heat Wave Outages
- Drink plenty of water.
- Check on seniors or those living alone who may have difficulty in hot conditions; make sure they also drink plenty of water and stay as cool as possible.
Medical Support
If any member of your household depends on electrically operated life-support equipment, please contact us. We will send you a form that must be completed and signed by your physician every year to verify that you have life-support equipment.
When we receive your completed form, we will add your name to our Critical Care list. The list will be used during a power outage to contact all Critical Care customers by telephone if the outage may affect their electric service for more than 24 hours.
In addition, the list will be provided to county and municipal Offices of Emergency Management. There is no charge for this service.
In the event of a power outage, it's important that life-support customers have a contingency plan, such as a battery backup. We cannot guarantee faster power restoration for customers with medial needs.
