While we are fully committed to providing safe and reliable power 24/7, occasional outages are unavoidable and sometimes out of our control. Please use one of the options above to report your outage. Also, visit the outage map and read additional resources on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report an outage?
Always report your outage. Here are the quick and easy ways to report:
- Report your outage online.
- Log in to your account and report online.
- Download PEC’s SmartHub mobile app and have the power to report and track outages at your fingertips 24/7.
- Text the word OUTAGE to 25022 from the number associated with your account (message and data rates may apply).
- Call 888-883-3379.
How do I sign up for text alerts and outage texting?
By adding your mobile number to your account, PEC can send a text message during an emergency, including prolonged power interruptions. And, you’ll be able to report an outage by simply texting OUTAGE to 25022. Add your mobile number to your account today!
What do I do after reporting an outage?
- Check the outage map for updates.
- Turn off all electrical appliances that were on when service was disrupted, leaving a lamp on so you’ll know when power is restored.
- Turn off the circuit breakers to major appliances. To help preserve food items, leave the doors to your refrigerator and freezer closed.
- Once power is restored, avoid overloading by turning appliances back on in 15-minute intervals.
Why did a service crew pass by without restoring power?
If you see a service crew passing by your house without stopping, it may be because work must first be performed at a nearby location before electric service can be restored to you and your neighbors.
Why does my neighbor have power and I do not?
It depends on the cause of the outage. Remember to make sure your power is not out because of an electrical problem inside your home, such as a tripped breaker. If an electrical problem in your home is not the cause and your neighbor has electricity and you do not, they may receive their electricity from a different power line or their home is located on a different circuit than your home.
Why isn't the outage in my area mentioned on social media?
Our social media profiles are not tied to our outage reporting system and are not continuously monitored. If you experience an outage, please report it by calling 888-883-3379, via SmartHub, or by texting the word OUTAGE to 25022 from the number associated with your account.
While we take every outage seriously, we typically only post information about outages that affect a large number of members and are expected to last for 30 minutes or more.
Why does the outage map show I have power when I do not?
The power may be out at your home or business for a number of reasons. The outage map only displays outages that are likely to indicate a system issue, rather than an individual member’s location. If you experience an outage, please report it using one of the methods listed above.
The estimated restoration time for my outage is unknown. What does that mean?
The best source for an estimate of power restoration time is the service crew. During an outage, they are working to locate faults and restore power. They don’t always have the time or ability (due to safety reasons or a lack of a communications signal) to provide our control center with estimates or updates. As a result, restoration information may not be immediately available or may be hard to determine with accuracy. In those cases, the estimated restoration times are unavailable.
How do I report damaged equipment?
Damaged equipment can be dangerous! Do not touch it or attempt to fix it yourself. Instead, call our emergency line at 888-883-3379.
Why is my power flickering or blinking?
Power blinks may be frustrating, but they are also evidence that the system is working as it should to keep your power safe and reliable. That flicker is the function of a device, either at the substation or on the line, protecting you from an event that could cause a true outage.
When too much electricity comes down the line — whether due to a lightning strike, tree limb contacting a power line, or other conditions — the protective devices trip open, just like the circuit breaker at your house.
With an 8,100-square-mile service territory, a lot can interfere with a line, which is why our protective devices are armed with reclose capacity. This means once the breaker has tripped open, it will automatically try to close again after two seconds. If the problem on the line has been cleared and the amperage and voltage on the line have returned to normal levels, the breaker will remain closed and your power will remain on.
When should I call an electrician instead of PEC?
PEC is only able to repair equipment that belongs to us. If there is a problem with any of the equipment shown in yellow below, you will need to contact an electrician.
If your property needs repairs to its electric system, you may need to have the meter pulled. However, only PEC employees may service or remove a meter. Interference with PEC equipment is prohibited and can pose a threat to your safety and others.
If repairs require an interruption of service, please call us at 888-554-4732, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have an emergency with your electricity, you can call 888-883-3379 at any time. The graphic below shows who owns what equipment. Remember to have a licensed electrician service items not owned by PEC.
Does the outage map show the reason for my outages?
The map will display details about your outage, including, when available, an estimated time of restoration, the cause of the outage, and the crew’s status when that information becomes available. The outage map does not show causes of previous outages. If you have questions about your service, call us at 888-554-4732 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Safety Tips
How to report a hazard
Report hazards to PEC immediately by calling 888-883-3379. Consider all fallen power lines to be energized, regardless of whether they appear to be safe. Stay as far away from them as possible, and make sure your children, pets, and neighbors stay far away from the power line and any objects it may be touching. For more information on being safe around downed power lines, visit our downed power lines page.
Safety during outages
- Please do not assume another member has reported outages in your area. To get your power restored as quickly as possible, report your outage by using one of the methods listed above.
- Unplug major appliances to protect them when power comes back on. In the event of any extended outage, it is safest to unplug all electronics.
- Don’t open the refrigerator or freezer doors. Unopened, your refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours without power, and your freezer will keep food cold for about 48 hours.
- Leave a light switch turned on so you know when power is restored.
- In winter, wrap yourself in layers of warm clothing, beginning with thermal undergarments. Fill containers with water and drain the pipes to keep them from bursting. In extreme cold, group together in one room and seal off any drafts.
- Never burn charcoal indoors for heat or cooking. Burning charcoal releases carbon monoxide, which can be deadly unless burned in a well-ventilated area.
How to safely install and use a generator
Having a generator on hand in case of an extended power outage is a convenient way to maintain access to electricity, but they also pose serious safety risks if not used properly. Please follow our safety tips, available here.
Before installing a generator that connects to your home’s electric circuits, please read our requirements and call 888-554-4732 if a service modification or meter disconnect is needed. Be aware that it is a violation of the electrical code to connect a generator without a UL-approved open-transition or automatic transfer switch (ATS).
How to Prepare for Outages
Prepare now
- Sign up to receive text messages from PEC during an emergency, including prolonged power interruptions and mandated rotating outages. Add your mobile phone number to your account or call 888-554-4732 to add multiple phone numbers. When your number is added to your account, you can report an outage simply by texting OUTAGE to 25022.
- Once you’ve enrolled in texting, bookmark important PEC links, like this page and the outage map. You can report and track your outage online without your account number, but it’s a good idea to keep it handy.
- Download the SmartHub app to your phone, which gives you access to your account and usage information.
- If electric service is required for health or safety reasons, enroll in our Medical Necessity Program. The Medical Necessity Program does not guarantee priority electric service restoration, and locations registered in the program are not exempt from planned or unplanned service interruptions.
- Falling tree branches are a common cause of property damage and power outages. Trim trees that are close enough to damage your home. Never trim trees that come within 10 feet of power lines or electric equipment yourself! Contact PEC at 888-554-4732, and we will trim them to a safe distance, free of charge.
- Check the weatherstripping on your windows and doors, and seal leaks with caulk or replacement weatherstripping. Addressing air leaks may save you up to 20% on your bill!
- Check the HVAC filter at least once a month and replace it when it is dirty.
- Have a certified technician perform maintenance on your system to ensure it runs efficiently.
- Develop a plan with your family in case of prolonged outages. Know where and when to seek shelter if needed.
Before a storm
- Prepare an emergency kit with a flashlight, one gallon of water per person, a hand-crank radio, a toolbox, batteries, blankets, cash, first-aid supplies, nonperishable food items, matches or lighters, and a manual can opener. Additionally, have your PEC account number, and extra fuel for vehicles. For winter storms, have additional firewood, coats, hats, gloves, warm clothing, and an additional heating source.
- Charge your devices, like phones and tablets, and have extra charging cords ready.
- Insulate external water lines on your water heater to help keep your pipes warm and save money on heating water.
- For winter weather, remove and store garden hoses and cover exposed water lines and spigots. Remember to drip your faucets when temperatures drop below freezing.
Winter weather preparation tips
Protect your home during winter storms
- Keep your faucets on a slow drip to keep pipes from freezing. Catch the dripping water in a clean container, sink, or tub to use if your water system is impacted. If your pipes freeze, turn off the main water supply to prevent further damage.
- Pick the lowest temperature you’re comfortable with and set your thermostat there — 68 degrees or lower is recommended. When you’re not home, set your thermostat to 60 degrees.
- Keep drapes and blinds closed, except when windows are in direct sunlight. This helps keep heat inside your home.
- If you experience an outage, keep lights and appliances off to avoid overloading circuits when power is restored. Instead, leave only one light on as a signal, so that you know when your power returns.
- If you have an additional heating source, like a fireplace, ensure it’s clean and working properly before using it.
Remember these important winter storm safety tips
- Don’t use your stove or oven for heat. Gas stoves and ovens produce carbon monoxide, and electric ones pose a fire risk when not used as designed.
- Don’t run your car in the garage as a way of warming up. Only run the car outside, and before you start it, make sure that the exhaust pipe is clear of snow and debris. Taking these steps could save you and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never run a generator closer than 20 feet from doors and windows to prevent fumes from entering the home.
How We Prepare
How we monitor power
PEC’s Distribution Operations Center closely monitors our electric grid 24/7, working quickly with crews to restore outages. These employees see every power fluctuation in every line and breaker in PEC’s system and take action — making calls, contacting crews, and remotely operating electrical equipment — to make sure your power is as reliable as possible and that everyone working the system stays safe.
Lineworkers respond
The job of our lineworkers is never done. From restoration efforts after a severe storm to constantly working to maintain our equipment and ensuring our system stays reliable, our crews are always working to keep your lights on.
No matter the day or time, when an outage occurs, PEC’s lineworkers drop what they’re doing and immediately head to the reported location to identify the problem and restore your power.
Maintaining the system
PEC crews are performing maintenance on our system every day in a variety of ways. Whether it’s vegetation maintenance, testing and treating our power poles, working in our substations, or inspecting our lines with unmanned aerial vehicles, we are always working to ensure our system is reliable.
About ERCOT-mandated controlled outages
To help manage and protect the grid during system emergencies, ERCOT may use a series of procedures designed to protect the reliability of the electric system and prevent a total loss of power across the entire ERCOT grid. When demand for electricity on the ERCOT grid is forecast to be greater than the supply of generated electricity, all electric utilities in the ERCOT region, including PEC, may be required to lower demand on their systems.
For more information, click here.
How PEC provides your power
Reporting a hazard
If you encounter a hazard, including damaged equipment or a downed power line, stay at least 50 feet away and call our emergency line at 888-883-3379.
If you see someone who is in contact with a downed line, do not touch the person. Call 911 instead.
Sign up for text alerts
By adding your mobile number to your account, PEC can send a text message during an emergency, including prolonged power interruptions. And, you’ll be able to report an outage by simply texting OUTAGE to 25022. Add your mobile number to your account today!
Medical necessity
If continuous electric service is required for health or safety reasons, enroll in our Medical Necessity Program.