Power Outages

Power Outage.png

Utility outages, which encompass failures in electricity, natural gas, sewage, telecommunication, or water services, directly impact communities. A power outage occurs due to any break in the supply of electricity, which can happen because of various reasons like accidents, natural disasters, equipment malfunctions, or fuel shortages. These outages can last from a mere few seconds to multiple days, becoming critical when they necessitate emergency management intervention for basic needs provision.

The impact of power disruptions varies greatly, influenced by the extent of the outage, its timing, location, duration, cause, the characteristics of the impacted community, and other simultaneous crises. While the electric power industry lacks a standard classification for these disruptions, understanding the potential variations is crucial for effective planning.

Electrical power disruptions fall into two main categories:

  1. Intentional Electrical Disruptions: These are planned interruptions, executed for maintenance, upgrades, or to mitigate risks, such as the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events initiated by APS. These shutoffs are a preventative measure against the threat of wildfires, with power being restored once conditions are deemed safe.

  2. Unintentional Electrical Disruptions: These unplanned interruptions can result from accidents, equipment failure, sabotage, or natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and wildfires.

Power Outages May:

  • Disrupt communications, water, and transportation.
  • Close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks, and other services.
  • Cause food spoilage and water contamination.
  • Prevent use of medical devices.

Before an Outage

  • Make an Emergency Kit: List out essentials that need power and plan for backups like extra batteries or a portable charger. Get a flashlight for each person in your house. Check if your landline works without electricity and its battery life. Know how to open your garage door. 
  • Form a Help Circle: Know who can assist you if you're stuck at home or need to leave during a long outage. Keep their contact info printed out.
  • Stay Informed: Sign up for local alerts to stay updated. Have ways to communicate if the power's down, like a hand-crank radio or a non-cordless phone, along with spare chargers and batteries.
  • Food and Water Supplies: Keep enough non-perishable food and water for at least 72 hours; although it is ideal to have enough for up to two weeks. Use coolers with ice to keep food cold if needed and have a thermometer to check food temperatures.
  • Healthcare Plans: If you rely on medicine that needs refrigeration or use medical devices that need power, talk to your doctor about what to do if the power goes out.
  • Manage Home Temperature: Insulate your home against the heat or cold. Plan for alternative locations if your home's temperature becomes unsafe.
  • Install Alarms: Put in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups. Check them monthly.
  • Protect Electronics: Use surge protectors for your devices.
  • Deciding Whether to Stay or Leave: Have a plan for evacuating, especially if you depend on electric medical devices. Keep your car's gas tank at least half full.
  • Understand Your Phone Service During Outages: Know the kind of landline service you have and if it'll work during an outage. Some might need a battery backup.
  • Charge Devices Before a Storm: Keep your gadgets charged if you know a storm's coming. Having extra batteries, a solar charger, or a car charger can help too.

During a Power Outage

  • Stay Updated: Always keep an eye on local weather updates and alerts through your phone, TV, or radio. Utility workers might directly inform you about planned power outages. Enroll in local warning systems if you can, to get alerts directly on your phone.
  • Food Safety: Try to keep your fridge and freezer shut to retain the cold. Generally, a fridge will stay cold for about 4 hours, and a full freezer for about 48 hours. Use ice-packed coolers if needed and check food temperatures with a thermometer. Dispose of any food at 40 degrees or above, and prioritize eating perishable items first.
  • Avoid Carbon Monoxide Risks: Don't heat your home with a gas stove, and avoid using outdoor heating devices inside. Place generators outdoors, far from windows, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Outdoor heating devices should stay outside, positioned at least 20 feet from windows.
  • Prevent Electrical Hazards: Unplug electronics to dodge power surges and overloads. Opt for flashlights over candles to avoid fire risks. Turn off utilities if instructed by authorities or if you suspect damage. Only a professional should reactivate your gas supply. If you notice tripped circuit breakers, get an electrician to check them before reactivation.
  • Evacuation Decisions: Leave your home if it becomes uncomfortably hot or cold, especially if you rely on power-dependent medical devices. Local authorities often set up centers for warming, cooling, and charging devices. Contact local officials for information on available facilities.
  • Safety Around Power Lines: Keep a safe distance from downed power lines—ideally 35 feet—and report them to emergency services.
  • Electrical Safety After Flooding: Stay clear of floodwaters and avoid using electrical appliances that might have been submerged until they've been inspected by a professional.

After a Power Outage

  • Stay safe from electrical hazards: Keep a distance of at least 35 feet from downed power lines and call 911 to report them.
  • Avoid entering floodwaters or using electrical devices that might be wet.
  • Be careful with food and medicine: If food, especially dairy and meat, has been at or above 40 degrees F, it's safest to discard it. Check with your pharmacist if you're unsure about refrigerated medications.
  • Protect against carbon monoxide: Use generators, camp stoves, and charcoal grills only outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

Cold Load Pickup

Cold load pickup refers to the surge in electrical demand that occurs when power is restored after an outage, as all the electrical devices and systems in homes and businesses simultaneously start up or return to their normal state. This sudden demand can sometimes lead to a secondary power outage if the electrical system is overwhelmed. To avoid the problems associated with cold load pickup, here are some steps to take when power comes back on:

  • Gradual Restart: Instead of turning on all devices and appliances at once, gradually restart them one at a time. Wait a few minutes between powering up each device to reduce the initial surge in demand.
  • Unplug Non-Essential Devices: Before the power is restored, unplug non-essential devices and appliances. This not only helps to manage the initial surge in electrical demand but also protects your devices from potential surge-related damage when the power returns.
  • Use a Surge Protector: Connect your critical and sensitive electronic devices to surge protectors. This can help shield them from any fluctuations or surges in voltage as the power comes back on.
  • Monitor the System: Keep an eye on the electrical system once the power is restored. If you notice any flickering lights, strange noises, or if the power goes out again, turn off the main power switch and contact your utility provider.
  • Be Patient: Utility companies often restore power in stages to minimize the risk of cold load pickup. Be patient and wait for the utility company's instructions or updates.

Public Safety Power Shutoff

Each year, our homes, lives, and the power grid face the threat of severe fire weather.

To safeguard against this threat, power companies have introduced a new initiative known as the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program. PSPS has already been implemented in various states.

In Arizona, PSPS will be applied selectively and exclusively in specific communities if weather conditions pose a significant fire hazard. The aim is to mitigate the risk of wildfires and ensure public safety.

This year, certain APS customers residing in Yavapai, Coconino, and Gila Counties may encounter a PSPS event.

Communities in Yavapai County that May Experience a PSPS

  • Boynton Pass Rd., and Aerie Rd, west of Enchantment Resort, including the Dry Creek Rd. area;
  • Iron Springs, Pine Lakes, Emmanuel Pines, Highland Pines and Dearing Park;
  • Kirkland, Skull Valley, Rancho Diamante, Tonto Rd., Ruger Ranch, Yava, Hillside, Mule Shoe Ranch and outlying ranches;
  • Zonia Mine, Wagoner, Walnut Grove and ranches along Hassayampa River;
  • Yavapai Down, Coyote Crest, Mingus West, Prescott Ridge and Mingus Academy Girls School;
  • Poland Junction, Mayer and Bensch Ranch;
  • Highway 89A north of Owenby Way round-a-bout, Oak Creek Canyon north of Downtown Sedona;
  • Potato Patch, Walker, Groom Creek and Wolf Creek.

If you live in an area that has been identified for the potential for PSPS, you should have been notified from your power company.

Make sure your power company has your current contact information to ensure you receive Public Safety Power Shutoff notifications. 

How PSPS Operates

Monitoring Conditions: Power companies vigilantly monitor fire weather conditions, which encompass factors like wind speed, humidity levels, and vegetation conditions.

Decision to Implement Power Shutoff: In instances of extreme conditions, power companies may opt to enact power shutoffs in targeted regions to forestall wildfires. This decision hinges on various factors, including prevailing weather conditions and vegetation status.

Notification Process: Customers residing in designated areas will receive advance notifications from their electrical utility prior to any temporary power shutoffs. These notifications will be disseminated through email, utility social media platforms, and the utility's official website. Maintaining up-to-date contact information is imperative for customers to ensure receipt of alerts from their provider.

Power Restoration: Power will be reinstated once deemed safe to do so. Once extreme fire risk conditions diminish, field crews will inspect the lines that were shut off. If there is no damage, electricity will be restored during daylight hours. In most cases, if a Public Safety Power Shutoff is called, power will be restored after about 20 hours, but the actual duration will depend on current weather conditions and if any equipment repairs are needed.

        

Power Outage Resources

*Disclaimer* Please note that not all resources related to Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events are currently available on our website. As new resources and information become available, we will update our resource list to ensure you have the most relevant and helpful materials.

Access & Functional Needs Preparedness

Yavapai County Functional Needs Registry

APS Outage Center

APS Ice Reimbursement

APS Medical Care Program

Generator Safety

Energy.Gov

Food Safety During Power Outage

Be Prepared

CDC: Power Outages

Food Safety

Back to top