How do I report a power problem or check the
status of a previously reported problem online?
Should I report my power outage or do you
already know my power is out?
Power lines are down on my street. What should
I do?
How can I tell if a downed power line is still
energized?
Why do my neighbors across the street or around
the corner have power and I don't?
What happens after I report my
outage?
How does Detroit Edison handle all the
restoration work after a major storm?
How do you decide which customers get their
power restored first?
How can I find out when my power will be
restored?
I saw a Detroit Edison line truck drive
through my neighborhood. Why didn't the crew stop to restore my
power?
Who is responsible for repairs to my
meter?
Will Detroit Edison pay for food that spoils
or damage to my appliances, electrical equipment or other personal property
that is damaged as a result of a storm-related power outage?
Q: How do I report a power
problem or check the status of a previously reported problem online?
A: Report your power outage online, or get a restoration estimate, using
our Power Problems Web page.
Q: Should I report my power
outage or do you already know my power is out?
A: Never assume we know that your power is out. While we do have
equipment installed on our lines that indicate general areas are without power,
we rely on customer outage reports to help pinpoint specific areas without
power. Your report will help us determine the full extent of an outage and help
us more efficiently restore power.
Q: Power lines are down on my
street. What should I do?
A: First, stay at least 20 feet away from the lines, and keep children
and pets inside. Assume that all downed power lines are energized and stay
away. Report the downed lines
online or call us at 800.477.4747. If you think the downed lines pose an
immediate hazard to the public, call 911 or your local emergency police and
fire number.
Q: How can I tell if a downed
power line is still energized?
A: Consider all lines to be energized and stay at least 20 feet away.
Keep children and pets away, too. Energized wires that have fallen may whip
around, spark or arc as they look for a ground, which is either the earth or
something connected to the earth, such as a tree or metal fence. However,
energized wires that have found their ground may lie silent and still, but are
equally dangerous.
Q: Why do my neighbors across
the street or around the corner have power and I don't?
A: There are several possible reasons. Fuses inside your home could have
tripped and caused an outage. Tree limbs may have fallen on your service drop,
which is the line that runs from the utility pole to your home. Or your
neighbors may get their electrical service from another circuit that was not
damaged by the storm or was restored earlier than the circuit supplying power
to your home.
Q: What happens after I report
my outage?
A: After you report an outage, we create a computerized report of the
trouble. The information contained in the trouble report goes into our outage
management computer program, which helps us determine the extent of the outage
based on your outage report, those from other customers, current weather
conditions and other factors. After the extent of the outage is determined, we
prioritize your trouble report and send it to our dispatch center for
assignment to a line crew for repair.
Q: How does Detroit Edison
handle all the restoration work after a major storm?
A: Our staff constantly monitors weather conditions, and when severe
weather threatens, we begin mobilizing early on. By the time severe storms
reach our area, our emergency team is already at work implementing our storm
response plan. As soon as weather conditions permit us to safely begin
restoration work, such as when the storm subsides, our crews assess the extent
of damage and begin restoration. If necessary, we call in line crews from other
utilities to help with restoration efforts.
Q: How do you decide which
customers get their power restored first?
A: Our top priority is restoring power to hospitals, nursing-care
facilities, police and fire stations, communication facilities (radio and
television stations), and sanitary-pumping facilities. We then focus on
restoring power to the remaining households and businesses, starting with
electrical circuits where the largest numbers of customers are without
power.
Q: How can I find out when my
power will be restored?
A: After a major storm, it takes us several hours to analyze the extent
of damage and develop restoration schedules. You can get a restoration estimate
online from a location that has power. You may also call 800.477.4747 and
use our automated system. Remember that estimates may be revised if damage is
more severe than anticipated or continuing severe weather delays our
restoration efforts.
Q: I saw a Detroit Edison line
truck drive through my neighborhood. Why didn't the crew stop to restore my
power?
A: Getting the power back on for everyone is a structured and detailed
process-everything must be done in steps. The line truck you saw may have
contained a crew that was assessing the extent of damage. Or the crew may have
been repairing the lines serving your street, which must be done before the
line going into your home is fixed. Please refrain from stopping our line crews
to ask questions or make special requests. Doing so only slows restoration of
power for you and your neighbors.
Q: Who is responsible for
repairs to my meter?
A: Detroit Edison is responsible for repairs to the meter itself. We are
also responsible for the service drop, which is the line either above ground or
underground running from the utility pole to your home. You are responsible for
all other additional equipment at the meter location, including the service
entrance cable. Contact a licensed electrician to complete any repairs that are
your responsibility. View a diagram of electrical
equipment.
Q: Will Detroit Edison pay for
food that spoils or damage to my appliances, electrical equipment or other
personal property that is damaged as a result of a storm-related power
outage?
A: No. Detroit Edison is not legally responsible for damage caused by an
act of nature. If you own your home or rent and have renter's insurance, please
check with your insurance company to see if your losses are covered by your
policy.
