Power Out at Home or Business

Be ready before an outage and know what to do if your power goes out. A little preparation can help you stay safe and manage an outage more easily.

If you see a downed power line, stay at least 30 feet away and call 911. Always assume the line is energized.

If you have life-sustaining equipment, call 253-502-8600. We will notify you before planned outages and tag your meter with a medical seal if your doctor completes and sends us a Healthcare Provider form. 
Register for the Tacoma Power outage platform. Our outage portal and website and outage map are mobile responsive, so you can access them via your smartphone when your power is out. 
Update your notification preferences so you can report outages online and via text, and receive updates by email. 
Keep our outage number handy: 253-502-8602. 
Prepare an emergency kit; these kits could include batteries, flashlights, non-perishable food, and water. A checklist can be found at Ready.gov/plan. 
Have a list of contacts available, and keep your cell phone(s) charged. 
If you depend on a well for water, keep at least 1 gallon of drinking water per person per day for drinking and cooking. 
Call 253-502-8729 to ask us to trim or remove hazardous trees near power lines. We will remove trees and related debris that a qualified contractor is not permitted to remove.

Visit our Power Outage Map to report your outage and view information about outages in progress. 
Turn off and unplug electronics such as computers, TVs, and security systems. 
Turn off all appliances, water heater, air conditioning and heating units, and lights. 
Keep your refrigerator closed to keep food cold.
- For food safety tips, see the Centers for Disease Control’s website. 
Turn on a porch light and one inside light so you and our crews will know when your service is restored. 
Stay inside. If outside, stay away from any damaged or downed power lines – always assume they are energized. Move away and call 911 .
Do not use a natural gas range to heat your home. Don’t burn charcoal for heat or cooking indoors. Both fuels give off dangerous fumes. 
Use flashlights, not candles. Candles may start a fire. 
Use generators properly. Never plug portable or auxiliary generators into a wall outlet.

Give your electrical system a little more time before returning everything to normal.
Turn lights, appliances, and other equipment back on one at a time to help avoid overloading your circuits.
Check that essential equipment is operating properly and continue to follow food-safety guidance if refrigerated or frozen food was without power for an extended period.

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