SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Even if the cause of a power outage might change, these reporting numbers won't.
Vehicle collisions, palm fronds, flooding, and high winds can cause outages during the stormy weather, but, despite all the ways the power might go out during a storm, there's usually only one number you'll have to call to report it.
Depending on who you're electric service provider is, here's who you need to call if the power goes out during the storm.
Sacramento Municipal Utility District - 1-888-456-7683
SMUD customers can report outages at 1-888-456-7683. You’ll need to provide a street number and a primary phone number or account number. You can also report an outage online.
Common reasons for an outage
During storms, SMUD typically sees tree limbs and palm fronds getting stuck in power lines. Even though work is done to prevent these types of outages, the gusts can still break off tree parts that will cause an outage.
Other common outage causes include power lines that slap together and cause the fuse on a circuit to open, vehicle collisions with power poles that cause repairs of eight hours or longer, poles swaying or falling due to saturated ground, and floods causing faults in underground cables and equipment.
In the event of an outage, SMUD spokesperson Christopher Capra added that customer services can be restored quickly while repairs get done.
"For example, let’s say a car crashes into one of our poles and knocks out power to 6,000 customers," Capra said in an email to ABC10. "Our dispatchers and troubleshooters can switch or reroute most of the customers on that circuit to other circuits, getting the lights back on for most of those 6,000 customers relatively quickly."
"Those customers immediately around the damaged pole, lines and circuit will be out until the work is complete, but they will number in the dozens rather than the thousands,” he added.
PG&E - 1-800-743-5002
Before calling to report an outage, PG&E recommends seeing if other homes in the area are affected. This generally confirms that an outage has occurred just in your location or within the neighborhood.
If power is out in the neighborhood, report it to PG&E at 1-800-743-5002. You can also sign up for alerts and report outages at this link.
A lot of PG&E customers also have “SmartMeters” that have helped the company identify where outages are. However, people can still be proactive in reporting their outage at 1-800-743-5002 if one occurs.
For downed power lines, PG&E says you should avoid the power lines, leave the area immediately, call 911 and then PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
Turlock Irrigation District - 209-883-8301
TID’s 24-hour service line can be reached at 209-883-8301 if you are without power longer than five minutes.
Updates on outages can be found on the TID website and their social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.
Common reasons for an outage
TID says outages in their service can be caused by a number of reasons, such as vehicle collisions or even a Mylar balloon. Outages can also come about due to storms and high winds.
Because the ground near an area with downed wires or poles might be charged, TID recommends staying clear of those areas if you see them.
Modesto Irrigation District - 209-526-8222
If customers are experiencing a power outage, they can call 209-526-8222. Callers should have an address and a timeline of how long the power has been out when they call. For more information, click HERE.
Common reasons for an outage
MID spokesperson Samantha Wookey told ABC10 that reasons for outages can vary depending on the type of storm. She said some power outages can be caused after high winds knock trees into power lines.
Roseville Electric Utility - 916-79-POWER
To report an outage, call (916) 79-POWER. For emergency or life threatening issues call 911. You can also view and report outages online HERE.
Common reasons for an outage
Some common reasons for outages in Roseville during a storm include vehicles crashing into power poles or other electric equipment. Wind can also be a factor for Roseville residents who have overhead power lines.
For wind, the utility recommends putting away any outdoor decorations that could be carried by wind into power lines.
"It’s also beneficial for customers to pick up yard debris that can be blown into power lines," said Vonette Fontaine, spokesperson for Roseville Electric in an email to ABC10.
"Strong winds can lead to power outages because it will blow tree limbs into the lines. Sometimes those limbs will break and bring down lines."
Lodi Electric Utility - 209-368-5735
Electrical outages can be reported to 209-368-5735. If you want to receive alerts through text or email about unplanned power outages, you can sign up at www.lodi.gov/alertcenter.
These are typically considered to be issues like flickering lights, electric outages, or downed power lines. This would also include loud noises, flashes, or sparks that a customer might see.
Before making a call to report an outage, the utility suggests checking to see what the status of the power is in other parts of the house, checking the circuit breakers inside and outside, and checking to see if the neighbor's lights are on.
(Editor's Note: This story was originally published in 2019. The contact phone numbers are operational for 2021.)
