Power & Communications Outage Safety

Power and communications outages can be more widespread and last longer than a thunderstorm. Be ready for outages inside and outdoors by taking precautions and actions to minimize inconvenience and maximize safety. Protect sensitive electrical equipment by installing power protection devices that can be purchased at department, hardware or electronics stores.

• Stay at home.
• Use a cell phone. Cordless phones do not work without electricity. Use corded phone only for emergencies.
• Unplug sensitive electronic equipment before the storm arrives.
• Turn off electric appliances that were on before power was lost. Leave one light on as an indicator for when power is restored.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed - food will stay fresh up to 8 hours.
• If the power is out for less than two hours, do not open the refrigerator or freezer. This will help food stay cold. For a power outage lasting longer than two hours, pack cold and frozen foods into coolers. As a general rule, perishable foods should not be held in over 40 degrees for more than two hours.
• During a thunderstorm, turn off the AC unit. Power surges from lightning can overload units, leading to costly repair bills.

• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Call 911 to report downed power lines.
• If a power line comes into contact with your vehicle, remain inside the vehicle until help arrives. Do not attempt to get out of the vehicle - that is the safest place for you to be. By stepping out of the vehicle, your body can become the pathway for electricity to reach the ground, causing severe bodily harm and possibly electrocution. Use a cell phone, if available, to notify emergency services of the exact location.

• TEP plans for storms in advance, ensuring that our equipment is working, keeping a sufficient amount of supplies on hand and placing extra crews on call. TEP's computer-operated Outage Management System allows service to be restored as quickly and as safely as possible.
• High winds and lightning strikes can cause lines to cross and short out or break, thereby interrupting the flow of electricity.
• Lightning can strike a transformer on a pole or a substation, which interrupts the delivery of electricity miles away from the location of the strike.
• TEP is continuously servicing and upgrading our equipment, making it more able to withstand storm hazards.