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Outages & Safety

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A large fallen tree and branches block a wet residential road, with utility lines and trees visible in the background.

Report and Track a Power Outage

Track current power outages or report an outage online via the Power Outage map. Call 253-502-8602 to report a power outage, broken line, or broken power pole.

Storms can affect many customers, so phone lines may be busy. Please only call once and be patient. The outage length depends on the extent of the damage and the repairs needed. We may not be able to provide a restoration time. Bad weather or darkness may slow work, but crews will work around the clock to restore your power as safely as possible.
Power Outage Map
A high‑pressure stream of water gushes from a large hose/fire hydrant onto a rock, splashing across an orange tarp.

Report and Track a Water Issue

Track a current water event or issue via the Water Event Map. Call 253-502-8207 to report a water quality concern during regular business hours or 253-502-8344 after hours and on weekends

Call 253-502-8384 to report water leaks, outages, and emergency turn on/off.
Water Event Map
Safety officer writing and checking off items on checklist document during an inspection.

Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Know what kind of disasters and emergencies are most common where you live and learn what emergency responders recommend.
Preparedness Information
Tacoma Power crews in a bucket truck repairng a power line.

TPU Service Area County Emergency Management Departments

For information or resources related to flooding or evacuations, please contact your local emergency management agency directly.
County Emergency Management Contacts
Downed power line near a residential home.

Stay Safe Around Downed Power Lines

Downed power lines can cause serious injury or death. Always assume a downed line is live.

  • Stay away. Never touch or approach a downed line. Call 911.
  • Don’t move it. Leave it to trained professionals.
  • Stay in your vehicle if a line falls on it. Call for help and do not get out.
  • Report it immediately. Tacoma Power will respond and make the area safe.
Mylar Balloons Near Power Lines

Balloon Safety

Mylar balloons cause about six power outages annually, resulting in significant interruptions to thousands of customers. If you purchase balloons, handle them carefully and ensure they do not release into the air. Consider using them indoors, tying them to weights, and deflating them when done. If they get caught in power lines, call Tacoma Power at 253-502-8602.
picture of a white home generator in a yard connected to the home.

Generator Safety

Generators can help during power outages, but improper installation can be dangerous. Carefully read your generator’s instructions. The use of a generator may require a permit and inspections. Contact us at 253-502-8277 for more information.
Two crew members wearing harnesses and safety equipment.

Tree Trimming

Trees add to our quality of life, and Tacoma Power encourages a healthy urban forest environment. However, when trees grow into power lines, they create hazards. Our tree crews work year-round to maintain required clearances on all transmission and distribution circuits we operate. Each circuit is inspected and trimmed on a four-year cycle. That provides the best program of control for growth and maintenance.

If you are going to plant a tree under a power line along the street, please check out our list of recommended tree species. For questions about tree clearances from power lines, tree removal or related issues, please call Tacoma Power at 253-502-8729.
Utility truck in the road with other cars driving by

Move Over or Slow Down

Washington State law requires drivers to vacate the lane closest to stationary emergency vehicles, including utility service vehicles, if they are traveling in the same direction and it is safe to do so. If not, drivers are required to slow down and may not exceed the speed limit within 200 feet before and after a stationary utility service vehicle that has its flashing lights activated. Help keep our crews safe!
Person stepping on a shovel to press it into the dirt.

Call Before You Dig

Whether you want to plant a tree or install a new sprinkler system, the law requires you to call before digging to avoid damaging utilities.

We will come out and mark underground utility lines in colored paint, free of charge. This will help you avoid cutting into underground utilities, causing harm and incurring costs associated with damage.

Dial 811 or call 800-424-5555 to schedule an appointment, which must be made two days in advance.

Helpful information you can provide when calling us about a power outage or water issue.

  1. Your name
  2. Address of the location impacted
  3. Phone number (for possible call back)
  4. Approximate time the outage/issue started and if it is still in progress
  5. For power outages: Any visible damage or specific problem, such as a tree in a power line, a wire down, an audible explosion, a broken pole, etc.

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Tacoma Public Utilities

4 hours ago

We're observing Veterans Day in honor of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Our lobby and Customer... Lightbox link for post with description We're observing Veterans Day in honor of those ...

We're observing Veterans Day in honor of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Our lobby and Customer Services phone lines are closed for the holiday.

Emergency lines remain open. We'll return to regular business hours on Thursday, Nov 12th.

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Tacoma Public Utilities

20 hours ago

Thousands of lines of data help tell the story of salmon on the Cowlitz River. From tracking returning adults to ... Lightbox link for post with description Thousands of lines of data help tell the story of...

Thousands of lines of data help tell the story of salmon on the Cowlitz River.

From tracking returning adults to monitoring juvenile fish, Jamie Murphy and his team collect and carefully check data that helps Tacoma Power and its partners understand fish returns and manage the program. Read more

Video Description: Jamie Murphy, a TPU employee, conducts an interview at the Cowlitz River adult separator. Video footage shows multiple employees collecting, sorting, and recording information about salmon at the Cowlitz River Fish Facility. The video also shows the facility, fish collection equipment, and more.

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Tacoma Public Utilities

2 days ago

What did Tacoma’s water pipes look like 100+ years ago? 👀💧 Video Description: A TPU employee standing near a ... Lightbox link for post with description What did Tacoma’s water pipes look like 100+...

What did Tacoma’s water pipes look like 100+ years ago? 👀💧

Video Description: A TPU employee standing near a Tacoma Water booth showcases historic wooden water pipes bound with metal. The video shows the pipes and explains their role in Tacoma’s early water system before Read moretransitioning to modern water infrastructure.

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