What to do if a powerline is down?

What to do if a powerline is down?

Downed Power Lines

  1. If you see a downed power line, move away from it and anything touching it.
  2. You cannot tell whether or not a power line is energized just by looking at it.
  3. The proper way to move away from the power line is to shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times.

What happens if a power line falls?

Call 911. When you do, let the dispatcher know you were in a vehicle accident and there’s a downed power line on your vehicle. If anyone begins to approach your vehicle, or tries to help you, warn them to stay at least 20 feet away from the power line and anything it may touch.

How long do down power lines take to fix?

It takes somewhere between 5 seconds and 6 months or more depending on the severity of the damage to the infrastructure. Many outages are self clearing such as when a small animal shorts out a high voltage feed, is blown clear and the circuit breaker automatically resets, all within a few seconds.

Who do you call when a power line falls down?

Report any downed power lines immediately by calling the LADWP at 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397). If you or someone else is in danger, call 911.

How long does power usually stay out?

The majority of power outages will be over in a day or two, but some can last for days or even weeks. Ice storms, sleet storms, and high winds damage power lines and equipment.

Can you drive over a downed power line?

Never drive over a downed line. It could cause poles or other equipment to come crashing down. If you are in a car that has come in contact with a downed power line, stay in your vehicle. If you must leave your car, only in the case of fire, jump free from the car and hop away from it with both feet together.

Would you die if you touched a power line?

Overhead power lines can carry more than 500,000 volts. Touching one of the lines can provide a path for electricity to the ground and hurt or kill you.

Why does the power go out when it’s windy?

Wind. Wind may cause power lines to swing together resulting in a fault or short circuit that interrupts service. Strong wind can blow tree limbs or entire trees into power lines causing them to fall to the ground.