Power outages: Report, track and stay safe
Power out? Here's what to do right now.
To report a downed power line, natural gas leak, carbon monoxide alarm, or other emergency, call us at 1-800-ALLIANT.
Review the safety tips below to stay safe until power is restored.
Tips to stay safe during an outage
- Don't use candles for lighting. The risk of fire is too great. Use flashlights instead.
- Never use a portable generator inside a home, garage, crawl space, or any other enclosed spaces. The exhaust fumes can be very dangerous when enclosed.
- If you are using a generator, make sure you shut off your main disconnect so it does not backfeed into the system. This can injure technicians working on downed lines.
- If you encounter a downed power line, stay at least 30 feet away and call 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) or 911 immediately.
Note: If you or someone in your household uses life support equipment, we recommend having an alternate plan, power source and equipment option in the event of power outages.
How we restore your power
1. Assess damage and make it safe
Our crews locate damage, isolate hazards and make conditions safe for repairs.
2. Transmission lines
High-voltage lines serving large areas are restored first.
3. Substations
Substations that distribute power into communities are repaired next.
4. Emergency services
Primary lines serving hospitals, police and fire services are prioritized.
5. Secondary lines
Neighborhood lines are repaired to restore groups of homes and businesses.
6. Home and business service lines
Individual home and service lines are restored next. This is the last and longest step.
If your power is still out:
There may be damage to equipment you own. Before we can reconnect you, you may need a qualified electrician to repair your equipment. See who should repair which equipment.