Power Outage Safety Before, During, After Storms

Weather-related electric outages happen year-round. Be prepared before a flood, snow, ice or wind storm strikes.

Before the Storm

Save 800-221-6987 in your contacts so you can quickly report outages. It’s equally important to give Benton REA your current phone number and email address so you can be informed about major outage restoration and planned maintenance outages in your area.

Follow Benton REA on Facebook and Twitter to see up-to-date outage restoration information for large outages.
Keep the following items in your emergency supply kit:

• Water, a three-day supply of 1 gallon per person per day.
• Tools such as a flashlight, batteries, manual can opener, battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
• A first aid kit.
• Prescriptions.
• Nonperishable foods.
• Blankets.

During an Outage

If a power outage occurs, check fuses and circuit breakers. If the power failure is not caused by something inside your home, report the outage to Benton REA. You can call 800-221-6987 or 509-786-1626 to report the outage or use the SmartHub app.

Always assume downed powerlines are energized even if they are not sparking. Stay away from them and call 911. Emergency personnel can help others avoid the unsafe area.

Do not drive over downed power lines. Electricity, when uncontrolled, is deadly.

Stay inside where it is safe. Storm conditions can cause flooding, landslides or difficult driving conditions. In winter, if a power outage causes your home to be too cold to remain there, find a local warming center and request safe transportation from emergency officials if needed.

After the Storm

Make sure it is safe to leave the house or drive if needed. Assess any damage to your home or property.
If your power is still out, have patience and use the items in your emergency kit.

Lineworkers first restore power to critical services such as hospitals and schools. They often work long shifts moving from neighborhood to neighborhood until every home and businesses has power again. When your power is restored, thank a lineworker.

Weather-related electric outages happen year-round. Be prepared before a flood, snow, ice or wind storm strikes.

Before the Storm

Save 800-221-6987 in your contacts so you can quickly report outages. It’s equally important to give Benton REA your current phone number and email address so you can be informed about major outage restoration and planned maintenance outages in your area.

Follow Benton REA on Facebook and Twitter to see up-to-date outage restoration information for large outages.
Keep the following items in your emergency supply kit:

• Water, a three-day supply of 1 gallon per person per day.
• Tools such as a flashlight, batteries, manual can opener, battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
• A first aid kit.
• Prescriptions.
• Nonperishable foods.
• Blankets.

During an Outage

If a power outage occurs, check fuses and circuit breakers. If the power failure is not caused by something inside your home, report the outage to Benton REA. You can call 800-221-6987 or 509-786-1626 to report the outage or use the SmartHub app.

Always assume downed powerlines are energized even if they are not sparking. Stay away from them and call 911. Emergency personnel can help others avoid the unsafe area.

Do not drive over downed power lines. Electricity, when uncontrolled, is deadly.

Stay inside where it is safe. Storm conditions can cause flooding, landslides or difficult driving conditions. In winter, if a power outage causes your home to be too cold to remain there, find a local warming center and request safe transportation from emergency officials if needed.

After the Storm

Make sure it is safe to leave the house or drive if needed. Assess any damage to your home or property.
If your power is still out, have patience and use the items in your emergency kit.

Lineworkers first restore power to critical services such as hospitals and schools. They often work long shifts moving from neighborhood to neighborhood until every home and businesses has power again. When your power is restored, thank a lineworker.