Your lights go out - how long before you call the power company?
By paidreader
@paidreader (5143)
United States
November 17, 2007 9:19pm CST
When your lights go out, how long before you call the power company to see when they'll be back on? Does it make a difference if the weather is bad?
We just had a storm blow thru and knocked out the power. It came back on & went back out a few times but then it stayed off. When I opened my door to see if anyone else had power, I started to hear other people asking if their neighbors had power. Once everyone had confirmed they weren't the only ones without power, it got quiet again, with only the sound of much needed rain falling.
After an hour, the power still wasn't restored, so I called the power company and did the report for power outages. Since they were receiving so many calls, the announcement automatically directed you to the automated system. After finishing my report, I had to laugh at the last question. I was asked if I wanted a call back once power was restored. I was thinking, no, I think I'll be able to figure that one out for myself and pushed the appropriate button, laughing to myself. I had no sooner pressed the button and the lights came back on. Yeah!
It did make me wonder how long most people would wait before calling. Because the storm was pretty bad, I gave it a little longer than I would have had the weather been clear. How about you? How long does it take for you to make the call?
4 people like this
12 responses
@paidreader (5143)
• United States
18 Nov 07
Yeah, hubby was like that too. It didn't help that the lights went out as we were eating dinner. :)
1 person likes this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
18 Nov 07
I would think 1 hour seems appropriate. I personally wouldn't know though. I was never bright enough to have a regular phone, only cordless ones that needed power to work. LOL
Actually once I did have a regular phone and I did call. It was the middle of winter and I spoke to a real person. I explained that I had no heat and would be leaving after being told it would most likely be several hours because they didn't know what the problem was. He asked if I would like to be called when power was restored, I said sure. He then said "Alright, I've got your home number right here on your account, I'll be calling you soon!" and then he hung up...I didn't stick around in the cold for him to call me.
3 people like this
@paidreader (5143)
• United States
18 Nov 07
How funny. He didn't listen very well, did he? I guess that's what happens when you handle so many similar calls. My phone was out too as it needs power too. Luckily we have a cell phone too and I was able to make the call that way. :)
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
18 Nov 07
I believe the procedure here is to report it as soon as it happens, that way the power company can track where the outage is. It does not happen too often here. Wind is more likely than anything to cause it. I am glad you guys have gotten some rain.
3 people like this
@paidreader (5143)
• United States
18 Nov 07
It's been pretty dry here so the rain was welcome. During the worst of the storm I was willing to be patient, knowing calls were already being made. After an hour, I thought it would be best to call myself, just in case others hadn't. Hearing the options of reporting downed powerlines, loud bangs, etc. made me glad I had waited until they got the report closest to the problem. It was pretty funny the way the lights came back on just as I finished the call though. Almost like I had flipped the right switch to get them back on. grin
It may sound strange, but I call my cable company almost right away if the cable or internet goes out and the lights are still on. I had to use the cell phone to make the call though, as when the power is out, so is the phone, lol.
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
18 Nov 07
I don't call because we have a power outage regularly. Our most recent outages were because of the fires in Southern California. Nobody called the power company, as the entire country already knew about our problems.
The earthquakes cause us to lose power and we have them often. Its just part of living in this place and you move if feeling the earth move is a problem. I am use to them.
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47667)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Nov 07
I don't think I've ever called the power company in such a case... I have a gas stove, so can still have hot food and tea, not to mention heat in the winter. I always have candles about, so light a few if it's dark. And I have a wind-up radio that I can crank up for tunes and check the news for reports.
2 people like this
@paidreader (5143)
• United States
18 Nov 07
WOW! You are prepared, aren't you? :D
1 person likes this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
18 Nov 07
Hi paidreader! I have always been a very patient person but whne it comes to lights going out, no power at all..I think I could only wait for 5 minutes before I will be calling the electric company and ask what happened and what time the power will be restored. If they give me a time schedule and they were delayed for another 5 minutes, Oh, trust me, I will be calling them again and again..until the power is restored. I guess, I get a bit crazy when there is power interruptions or outages. haha.. Take care and have a nice day. :)
2 people like this
@paidreader (5143)
• United States
18 Nov 07
How funny. I don't think they ever know when it'll be back THAT soon after it goes out, but at least they'll know there's a problem sooner with callers like you. :)
2 people like this
@buffetwoman (623)
• United States
19 Nov 07
I immediately call the power company. I just want to double check to make sure they received our payment!! :-D
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
24 Nov 07
It depends on the situation of the power going out. I've worked for our power company so I know what the process is. If there is no storm and the power goes out, I first go to see if the neighbors are out too. This way I know whether to ask nicely when the power will be restored, or to complain because I know I paid my bill lol.
If there is a storm I usually wait about 30 minutes before I decide to call. Our local company has a recording that will tell you when your power will be on in your area when there is a storm, so there is no need to speak to a live operator.
I have always wondered about that call to tell you the power is back on. Are there people really that dumb that need an announcement to tell them the electricity is working lol?
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
6 Jan 08
we call them immediately-the power is always going out in my neighborhood,and half the time they're not even aware of it.
we had a line snap and land on cars the one time,and i had to get the cops up here to stop people from trying to get near it.
it took the power company over an hour to arrive,they had no clue.
@2btrueinu (700)
• Philippines
23 Nov 07
If I'm the one who experience to loose the power I will report right away sometimes they didnot making action right away they need to investigate why that area are loosing power it take time before they fix it so if I were you I will not just call them right away but also every now and then.
1 person likes this
@kriszelunka (557)
• Australia
19 Nov 07
I've actually never bothered to call - it's generally frowned upon in Australia, and you're told it'll be back on whenever they're able to fix the problem.
It's a pretty rare occurence anyway. Perhaps two or three times a year on average I've had the power go out - normally during a big storm.
1 person likes this
