FAQ Category: Outages

  • There is an outdoor light that is not working. Who do I call?

    Most outdoor lights mounted on buildings are privately owned and maintained. Most outdoor lights on metal poles are maintained by the city or county in which the pole resides. Lights on wood poles are maintained by various entities. An identification number on the light helps to determine responsibility for maintenance. Should you have a dusk-to-dawn…

  • What types of actions does TID undertake to lessen the likelihood of outages?

    We continually monitor, maintain and update the electrical system to ensure it provides safe and reliable power. Among other tasks, we’re responsible for trimming trees around our high voltage lines throughout the District. Our staff periodically patrols the District’s transmission and distribution lines to ensure they are free of potential hazards and in proper working…

  • What makes the power go out?

    Unplanned outages can occur at any time, and can be caused by weather elements like wind, rain, heat, ice, lightning, and snow. Vehicles colliding with power poles cause numerous outages in our electrical service territory each year. Untrimmed trees and their limbs also wreak havoc on power lines, especially overhead service lines leading from wood…

  • Should I unplug sensitive electronics?

    If it’s safe to do so, consider unplugging sensitive electronics to protect them from a momentary power “surge” that can damage computers and other devices. Consider adding good quality surge protection to your electronic equipment.

  • How long will the food in my refrigerator stay fresh?

    Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. For more information about food from Ready.gov, click here.

  • How can I get the most current information about power outages?

    In the event of a significant unplanned outage, we work quickly to record a detailed phone message on our service line at 883-8301 so customers reporting their outage have accurate and timely information. This message is updated as the details of the outage become available or the status changes. Our Outages page is also a…

  • I see what could be a downed power line or a cracked/broken power pole on a piece of equipment or the ground. What do I do?

    Do not approach it or anything that is touching it. Call 911 and inform the operator that you believe there is an electrical emergency. Always assume that all wires, regardless of being connected or disconnected, are energized. Do not attempt to clear branches or debris from downed power lines or fallen power poles. Further electrical…

  • What does TID do when the power goes out?

    We have staff monitoring our electrical system 24 hours a day – 365 days a year. When we’re alerted of an outage, our staff verifies the accuracy of the information, and dispatches a troubleshooter or repair crew to investigate and repair the problem, all while rerouting power to isolate the outage to a minimum amount…

  • What should I do if my power goes out?

    In many cases, customers and the valuable information they provide are our first line of defense in getting power restored. If your power goes out for more than a few minutes, safely follow these steps to help us restore power to your home or business:

  • Should I check to see if my breaker/box has ‘tripped’ before calling TID?

    Yes, please. If your home or business is the only facility in the area without power, the problem may be with your circuit breaker box or service panel. Carefully locate your service panel and check to see if the main circuit breaker has flipped to the “off” or “trip” position. If your power is still…