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Outage Tips
Outage Reporting
Snapping Shoals EMC dispatchers want to give you the best possible service when there's an outage. Here are some tips to help get your lights on quicker:
1. Check your breaker panels before you contact us. Also, check to see if the neighbors have lost their power. Check both the main breaker on the inside panel and outside disconnect (older homes probably won't have an outside disconnect). The outdoor disconnect will be located close to your electric meter.
If the breaker is tripped, it will be stopped halfway between You'll have to turn the breaker off first and then back on to reset it. If you still have power in part of your home, check the individual breakers in the panel. If you're not sure how to reset a breaker, ask someone who knows to show you.
2. If your power blinks a couple of times but comes back on, you don't have to contact us. On the other hand, if you notice blinks over the course of several days, let us know so we can check our lines for problems.
3. Make sure SSEMC has your correct telephone number on file. You can see the number we have on record by looking at the top of your monthly electric statement.
4. If you call from a cell or pay phone, the computer won't recognize this as your number. If a computer answers your outage call, enter the phone number where the outage is occurring. You'll have the chance later in the process to leave the number where we can get in touch if you're calling from a different location.
5. If you call from a rotary phone, you'll need to orally record your outage information for the computer. Simply follow the voice prompts. Our dispatchers will need your name, SSEMC account number and street address (not a post office box). They don't need your city, state or zip.
7. Have a contingency plan in place for life-support patients. If there is catastrophic damage to our system or if main trunk lines are damaged, it may take time to get power restored. Those main trunks must be functioning before any other repairs, including those to life-support patients, can be effective.
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While the Power is out:
1. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut. A closed refrigerator will stay cold for up to 12 hours.
2. During winter storms, open faucets slightly so they drip; this prevents pipes from freezing.
3. Leave on one light switch so you’ll know when power is restored. Unplug other appliances so they aren't damaged when the power comes back on.
4. Remember: Never burn charcoal indoors. If you're using a kerosene or other fuel-burning heater, use it in a well-ventilated area.
5. If you have a back-up generator, equip it with a double-throw switch that will disconnect your home’s circuits from your utilities. Learn more about generator safety. |
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