When there is an area-wide outage, we are the first to know.  Our equipment quickly determines the areas without power.  For short-term outages, power is usually restored to most locations within one or two hours.
Accidents, fires, and electrocutions are avoidable.  Know where your flashlights are located.  Be sure to supervise any candle use.  Never use briquettes indoors.  Always ventilate if you are heating with propane or kerosene.  *And never -- EVER -- touch a downed power line.
Keep fresh batteries in your portable radio and tune into a local station for outage reports.  Our staff will keep these radio stations informed as to the extent and probable duration of the outage, and whether or not an emergency situation exists.
When power is restored, a potentially damaging power surge could reach your expensive appliances.  During the outage, consider unplugging your refrigerator and freezer, etc., or turn them off at the breaker panel.  Sensitive electronics should also be protected by surge protectors, or better yet, uninterruptible power supplies.