Outages & Safety

Track current power outages or report an outage online via the Power Outage map. Call 253-503-8602 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.

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.

Know what kind of disasters and emergencies are most common where you live and learn what emergency responders recommend.

For information or resources related to flooding or evacuations, please contact your local emergency management agency directly.

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 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.

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.

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.

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!

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.