Severe weather is the most common cause of large-scale outages. However, a variety of factors such as wildlife contacting our equipment, vehicle accidents and trees falling on power lines can cause smaller, more localized outages at any time. While some outages can be restored in just a few minutes, others that require more extensive repairs could take several hours to restore.
Report an OutageHow AEC Prepares for Storms
When severe weather is forecast, we activate formal readiness plans to ensure we’re ready to tackle the damage. This may include staffing additional line workers, dispatchers, Member Support staff and more. Depending on the magnitude of the storm, there could be hundreds or even thousands of damage locations that need to be addressed, so this process can be lengthy.
Assessing Storm Damage
Once a storm has passed, crews are sent into the field to analyze damage and report back critical on-site information. This work helps us determine the required resources, establish repair plans and develop estimated restoration times.
During this time, tree contractors also work to clear tree damage so that line crews can make repairs and restore power in some areas.
Once hazard locations have been identified, analyzed and cleared for line crews, line workers follow an established protocol to restore power to customers as quickly and safely as possible.
Prioritizing Restoration
When outages are widespread, restoring power to all customers at the same time may not be possible. Our restoration process helps to keep the public safe while crews quickly work to get customers back up and running.
- Isolate hazards and make safe
- Repair high-voltage lines/restore essential functions
- Restore hospitals and other critical medical facilities, police and fire departments, and 911 facilities
- Repair main feeder/distribution lines
- Restore areas with largest number of customers
- Restore individual homes
Additional Crews
Our crews are well equipped to handle storm damage in our service area. If a storm is especially severe, we may also supplement our own crews with local contractors or request workers from neighboring co-ops through mutual assistance relationships.