Downed Power Lines

• Call Midland Power at (800) 833-8876 to report a downed line.
• ​​​​​​Never touch or go near a downed power line.
• Don’t touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car.
  • If a power line falls on your vehicle: stay inside the vehicle (unless there is a fire) and call the co-op and emergency services.
  • If you have to exit a vehicle with a downed wire on it because of a fire:
    • Open the door, but do not step out of the car because you may receive a shock.
    •  Keeping both feet together, jump free of the car so that your body clears the vehicle before touching the ground.
    • Once you clear the car, shuffle at least 50 feet away, with both feet on the ground.

Generators

If it is necessary to use a portable generator, manufacturer recommendations and specifications must be strictly followed. If there are any questions regarding the operation or installation of the portable generator, a qualified electrician should be immediately contacted to assist in installation and start-up activities. The generator should always be positioned outside the structure.

When using gasoline- and diesel-powered portable generators to supply power to a building, switch the main breaker or fuse on the service panel to the "off" position prior to starting the generator. This will prevent power lines from being inadvertently energized from backfed electrical energy from the generators, and help protect utility line workers or other repair workers or people in neighboring buildings from possible electrocution. If the generator is plugged into a household circuit without turning the main breaker to the “off” position or removing the main fuse, the electrical current could reverse, go back through the circuit to the outside power grid, and energize power lines or electrical systems in other buildings to at or near their original voltage without the knowledge of utility or other workers.