Power Outages

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At Allegheny Power, we’re proud of our dependable energy delivery service, and we are constantly searching for opportunities to improve our performance. But regardless of how hard we work, power interruptions still can occur.

When the power goes out, look out the window to see if you can tell if your neighbors still have power. If they do, or if you have electricity in part of your house, your problem may be a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. Carefully replace the fuse or reset the breaker.

To Report an Outage - Call 1-800-Allegheny (1-800-255-3443)

If you are without service, call us at 1-800-Allegheny (1-800-255-3443).To report an outage, simply say “power outage.” For other electrical emergencies, say “hazard.”

When you call, you will be connected to our automated telephone system. If the automated telephone system is unable to process your call, you will be connected to a representative who will help you. Be prepared to give your name, address, telephone number, and good directions to your location. This will help us find the trouble quickly.

We will work to restore your service as quickly as possible. It is not necessary to keep calling; however, if you see that your neighbors’ service is restored and yours is still off, call us again. If you must go outside to assess the situation, take a flashlight and stay away from downed power lines. Contact with one could cause serious injury or even death. Your best bet is to stay inside and look out a window.

What Causes Power Outages
Most interruptions in your electric service are caused by situations we can’t control, such as lightning and high winds in the summer, ice and heavy snow in winter, or when a vehicle hits one of our poles.

Power Restoration Priorities
When a major electrical outage occurs, we quickly dispatch service crews and emergency personnel to the scene, and we don’t stop working until all service has been restored.

Obviously, following a major outage, we cannot reconnect all customers at the same time. We follow a priority system of restoring service to ensure the health and welfare of the public. Following this plan, we:

• Eliminate safety hazards, such as downed lines, fires, and accidents.
• Restore substations and main feeder lines.
• Restore critical services, such as hospitals, emergency services, communication facilities, and water/sewage facilities.
• Restore service to the largest blocks of customers possible with each repair.
• Restore service to individual customers. Life support customers will be restored first when possible.

General Tips

Life Support Equipment
If you or other family members depend on a respirator, ventilator, oxygen concentrator, suction machine, medication compressor, or other life sustaining devices, ask your home health-care provider if your equipment needs continuous operation. If it does, consider such options as a portable generator, battery backup, or reserve storage oxygen tank. Establish a contingency plan for extreme emergencies. Identify places where you can go for shelter, and remember to call first to make sure these locations have power. Make provisions for emergency transportation if it becomes necessary to leave your home.

Turn Off Appliances
After you report the trouble, turn off your computer and major appliances such as refrigerators, electric water heaters, air conditioners, and pumps. Leave one or two lamps switched on so you will know when power has been restored. If major appliances are left on, they could overload electric lines when power is restored and cause a second interruption.

Refrigerators and Freezers
Refrigerators and freezers will keep food cold for a day or two if the doors are kept closed. In winter, you can store food outside if the temperature is low. You could also freeze water outdoors and then use it in the refrigerator to keep food cool. In a severe case, look into the possibility of transferring food to a frozen food locker. To avoid spoilage, try to use frozen food as quickly as possible. Some partially frozen foods can be refrozen as long as they contain ice crystals or are no warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t refreeze seafood, poultry, ice cream, cream sauces, or anything susceptible to spoilage. If you have any doubt about frozen food, throw it away.

Protect Your Electronic Equipment
It is always a good idea to protect your appliances and sensitive electronic equipment with a good quality surge suppressor. Lightning can increase the potential for electrical surges that can harm your home appliances and valuable electronic equipment. While you can’t control lightning, you can reduce its effects on appliances by making sure your home is properly wired and grounded and by using surge protection equipment.

Water Heater
If you drain your electric water heater to prevent damage from freezing, you must turn off the appropriate circuit breaker or remove the fuse to disconnect the appliance. Otherwise, the heating elements may burn out if the power comes on while the tank is empty. Never turn on your water heater unless the tank is full.

Water Supply
Private water systems, such as wells or cisterns using electric pumps, are out of service during a power outage. You may want to store drinking or cooking water for such emergencies. If you do, avoid using metal containers and boil the water before it is used.

Plumbing
Plumbing can present problems during a prolonged power outage because of the potential for freezing. Take note of the areas in your house where water collects and, if possible, drain them. These areas include pumps, supply lines, water heaters, boilers, and traps in drains of tubs, sinks, commodes, washing machines, and dishwashers.

Heating and Cooling
Heating equipment usually presents no problems aside from loss of heat during an outage; however, if your house is heated by hot water or steam, you could have freezing damage if the outage is prolonged. Check with your heating dealer for information about your particular system. If you have a heat pump, you should operate it on “emergency heat” for a brief period following a power interruption of an hour or more.

Fireplace
Make good use of a fireplace. It can provide some heat, light, and cooking capability. Keep a screen in front of the fireplace, and close the damper when it’s not being used.

Live in One Room
If possible, try to live in one room. Choose the room with the fireplace or one that can be heated easily with a portable heater.

Telephones
Remember, cordless phones will not work during a power interruption.

Flooding
If your home is flooded, do not attempt to move or use appliances while they are submerged in water. After the water recedes, have a qualified serviceman check the motors in your furnace, freezer, and other appliances that may have gotten wet. If your electrical service panels are affected by water, turn off all circuit breakers, including the main disconnect switch, and have a serviceman check them.

Radio
Use a portable radio. Tune in to a local station for information on the power outage or storm. Allegheny Power provides the stations with regular reports and estimates of the time service will be restored.