Contact:  Pacific Power media hotline                                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1-800-570-5838                                                                                            Dec. 14, 2018

Heavy rain and potential flood forecast. Do you have your emergency kit ready?

National Weather Service forecasts a series of lows will bring heavy rain and potential flooding to the Pacific Northwest through next week.

PORTLAND, Ore. – As heavy rains move into the Northwest beginning Sunday, Pacific Power reminds its customers and the public to take precautions to stay safe and comfortable.

“We work hard to prevent outages, but heavy rain and wind make it difficult to predict when and where an outage will happen,” said David Lucas, vice president of operations. “Our crews will be out there during the thick of it to help get the lights back on, but their safety and the safety of the public is our number one priority.”

Pacific Power suggests these safety precautions:

• Stay away from all downed power lines and utility lines. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could be energized and extremely dangerous. Call 911 and report the outage to Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088.
• This storm system may cause flooding. Be especially careful of any standing water or even soggy ground. A live down wire may seem to be a safe distance away, but is still extremely dangerous due to wet conditions.
• Don’t drive over downed power lines.

“We encourage Pacific Power customers to text, call or notify us through our mobile app or website if they are experiencing an outage” said Barb Coughlin, vice president of customer service. “The more information we have from our customers, the quicker our crews can get to that location.”

Customers can report an outage via text messaging. Text OUT to 722797 to report an outage. Text STAT to 722797 to check the status of your outage.

Please visit the Pacific Power mobile app or website to update your outage alert preferences, email address and phone number. Keeping this information updated ensures you will be able to report outages and receive updates using these quick and easy options.

Download our mobile app (www.pacificpower.net/ya/app.html) to report power problems or get real time outage updates.  Outage information is always available by viewing our outage maps on the mobile app and website at pacificpower.net.   

Every home should have an Emergency Outage Kit that includes the following:

• Flashlight
• Battery-operated radio and clock
• Extra batteries
• Non-perishable foods
• Manual can opener
• Bottled water
• Blankets

To ease the inconvenience of power outages and assist crews in restoring power, Pacific Power suggests the following tips and safety precautions:

• Stay away from all downed power lines and utility lines. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could be energized and extremely dangerous. Call 911 and report the downed line to Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088.
• Don’t drive over downed power lines.
• Turn on your porch light. After crews complete repairs, they patrol the area of the power failure to see if lights are on.
• Check on your neighbors, especially those who may need special assistance. Also, check with others who have electricity, to see if you can visit.
• Keep mobile devices charged so that may be used in an emergency.

Pacific Power also thanks customers in advance for their patience during power outages. Crews make every effort to keep outage durations to a minimum and to restore power safely and quickly.

Customers and media representatives can also track outages of any size online. Updates will be made as new information becomes available or at least every 15 minutes at pacificpower.net/outage.

-30-