We do our best to avoid them, but there’s no way around it: power outages occasionally happen.
For most Dixie Electric members, outages are infrequent and only last a short time. But when major storms impact our area, such as the back-to-back severe weather events we experienced in March and April, extended outages are unavoidable.
So, when the power goes out, how do Dixie Electric crews know where to start working? How do you know if your outage has been reported? We’ve got answers to these questions and more. It all starts with a safe, efficient plan for power restoration.
When the lights go out and it’s safe for our crews to begin the restoration process, engineering staff begin dispatching outages to crews in the field. They start by repairing power lines and equipment that will restore power to the greatest number of people in the shortest time possible.
This process typically begins with repairs to the larger main distribution lines that service a great number of homes and businesses. After those repairs are made, crews work on tap lines, which deliver power to transformers. Finally, individual service lines that run between the transformer and the home are repaired.
We can’t control the weather, but we can prepare for it. Dixie Electric keeps a supply of extra utility poles, transformers, and other equipment on hand so we can get to work quickly in the event of an outage. When widespread outages occur, multiple crews will be in the field simultaneously working to repair damage at multiple locations. We also coordinate with nearby co-ops to bring in additional crews when necessary.
A proactive approach to maintenance helps minimize the chance of prolonged outages, which is why you see Dixie Electric contract crews periodically trimming trees and clearing vegetation near rights-of-way. Trimming improves power reliability for our entire community. In addition to managing vegetation, we regularly inspect utility poles, power lines, and other critical equipment to maintain a more reliable system.
If you experience a power outage, don’t assume a neighbor reported it. It’s best to report the outage yourself, and we make it easy to do. The quickest way to report an outage is through our Smartshop app. Another way is to call our outage reporting number at (888) 465-9209. We also provide a live outage map at prepared.dixieepa.com.
Mother Nature can be unpredictable, but as a member of Dixie Electric, you can feel confident knowing we are here, ready to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.