Storm and Outage Safety

Our team is ready when severe weather strikes – make sure you are too!

View Ohio weather alerts here.

How to Report an Outage:

Outage Tracking

  • Sign up for Outage Alerts to receive text message updates about outages in your area.
  • Use our Outage Map to see the impact of an outage across our territory and track our restoration progress.

Outage Safety

  • Never approach a downed powerline, even if it appears to be de-energized. Lines can become re-energized as restoration efforts progress. If you see a downed line, call us and 911 right away.
  • Do not try to remove any debris from a powerline, even if you think it may be impacting your service. Without the proper training, equipment, and safety gear, it is extremely dangerous to go near a powerline.
  • Always follow these generator safety tips, including:
    • Never operate your generator inside your home or garage – even if doors and windows are open.
    • Never plug your generator into a wall outlet to try and power your home – this can send electricity down de-energized lines, putting line workers in serious danger.
  • During the restoration process, sometimes power comes back on in spikes that can damage electronics. Unplug all electronics and heat-producing appliances when an outage occurs.

Outage Preparation

  • Do you have any medical equipment or treatments that require electricity or refrigeration? Make a plan with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure that you know how to stay safe when a power outage occurs. 
  • Maintain an emergency kit with necessary items like non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, etc. 
  • Make sure you have blankets and warm clothing easily accessible. 
  • If you know a storm is coming, take time to charge important devices like phones, laptops, and portable batteries in case of an outage. 
  • Ensure that all of your sensitive electronics are protected from power surges. Remember that newer appliances often include computer elements and will need surge protection. Read this article to learn more about the importance of surge protectors and how to pick the surge protectors that best suit your needs. 
  • Remember to include your pets in your preparations! 

Tornado Safety:

  • Make sure your yard is free of heavy debris that could be tossed around by the wind.
  • Choose a safe area in your home where your family can gather if a tornado warning is issued. Pick a spot in your basement or in a room with no windows on the lowest level of your home.
  • In extreme weather, look for the following potential signs of a tornado: a dark sky, low-lying clouds, large hail, or a loud roar.
  • If you are outside or in a vehicle, do not try to outrun a tornado. Seek shelter in your home or a building immediately.
  • Follow this link for more tornado-specific safety tips.