The first hour, in short
- Check if neighbors have power. If not, report it to your utility.
- If only your home is dark, check the main breaker with dry hands and a flashlight.
- Keep the fridge and freezer closed. A closed fridge stays cold about 4 hours.
- Never run a generator indoors or plug it into a wall outlet.
First, find out if it's just your home
Look out the window. Are streetlights and neighbors' porch lights on? You can also check your utility's outage map on your phone.
If the whole area is dark, the problem is on the utility's side. If only your home is out, the problem is likely in your panel, meter or service line.
Check your panel the safe way
- Use a flashlight, not a candle.
- Make sure your hands and the floor are dry.
- Look at the main breaker at the top. Push it fully OFF, then ON.
- If only part of the house is out, look for a single tripped breaker. Our guide on Why Your Breaker Keeps Tripping explains what to do next.
Don't touch the panel if there's water nearby, you smell burning or the panel is hot. Step back and call for help.
Who to call: your utility or an electrician
Utah Valley has more than one power company, so the right number depends on where you live.
| Situation | Who to call |
|---|---|
| Area outage in Orem and most of Utah County | Rocky Mountain Power, 877-508-5088 |
| Area outage in Provo | Provo City Power outage line, (801) 852-6888 |
| Area outage in Lehi or Springville | Your city power department |
| Downed power line | 911 first, then your utility. Stay far away. |
| Only your home is out, main breaker is on | A licensed electrician for 24/7 Emergency Electrical Repair |
A damaged mast or meter base after a storm is usually the homeowner's to fix before the utility can reconnect. That's a job for Service Mast and Meter Base Repair.
Protect your home while you wait
- Unplug electronics like TVs and computers to protect them from a surge when power returns.
- Leave one lamp switched on so you know when power is back.
- Keep the fridge and freezer closed. A closed fridge stays cold about 4 hours. A full freezer holds about 48 hours, a half-full one about 24.
- Use generators outdoors only, far from doors and windows.
Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. This is called backfeeding. It can kill a lineworker and damage your home. A Generator Interlock and Transfer Switch makes generator power safe.
When the power comes back on
- Wait a few minutes before plugging things back in.
- Turn on large appliances one at a time.
- Watch for flickering, dim lights or a burning smell.
Lights that are too bright or too dim after an outage can mean a lost neutral. That is dangerous and needs an electrician right away. Power returning can also bring a surge, so many homeowners add Whole-Home Surge Protection.
Get ready for the next outage
- Flashlights and spare batteries in a known spot
- A charged power bank for phones
- Your utility's outage number saved in your phone
- A cooler and ice packs for medicine and food
- Labels on your panel so you can find the main breaker fast
If outages hit your home hard, a Standby Generator Installation can switch on automatically. Generac and Kohler standby units are common in Utah Valley.