The storm may be over, but that doesn’t mean the danger has passed. Always assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous, even when power is out in that area.
Here are smart strategies for staying safe around downed power lines.
If you see a downed power line:
Always assume a power line is energized and dangerous, even when power is out in that area.
Move at least 50 feet away from the line and away from anything touching it. Call 911 immediately. Electricity from a live wire touching the ground can radiate outward, making the area unsafe around that point of contact.
The best way to move away is to shuffle with small steps, keeping both feet together and on the ground at all times. This minimizes the potential for a strong electric shock.
If someone or something is touching the line:
Anything touching the line can be a conductor of electricity, including the human body. Don’t touch anyone or anything that is in contact with a power line. That could make you the next victim.
Also, don’t attempt to move anything that is touching the line by using another object, such as a broom or a stick. Even materials that are normally nonconductive can, if they are slightly wet, conduct electricity and electrocute you.
If there is water nearby:
Water is a good conductor of electricity. Any amount of water—even a puddle—could become energized. Be careful not to touch water—or anything in contact with the water—near where there is a downed power line.
If floodwaters are approaching your home, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box, and unplug appliances. If water covers electrical outlets or plugged-in cords, or if you hear buzzing, snapping, crackling or popping sounds, stay away.
Don’t enter a flood-damaged home or building unless you’re sure the power is off. Don’t attempt to reset circuit breakers until all water has receded. If you suspect water damage to the electrical system, it may be a good idea to have a qualified electrician inspect it before re-energizing the breaker panel.
If you are in a car:
Never drive over downed power lines. If you are in your car and it comes in contact with a downed line, stay in your car until rescue personnel arrive. Tell others to stay away from your vehicle.
If your car is on fire and you must leave it, jump out of the vehicle while keeping both feet together and avoiding contact with both the live car and the ground at the same time. This way, you avoid being the path of electricity from the car to the earth. Use the shuffle step described above to move away from the car.
For more safety tips, watch the videos "This might shock you" and "Car vs. power pole".
If you have children:
Teach children to stay well away from downed power lines and never touch the lines or throw other objects at them.
If you want to be helpful:
Call 911. Let rescue personnel and trained professionals from your electric utility handle the situation with the appropriate safety measures.
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Additional resources
Report outages – Let your co-op know when your power is out or any time you see a downed line.
Track the progress of repairs online – South Carolina’s not-for-profit electric cooperatives provide real-time updates on their progress through an interactive outage map.
#ThankaLineman – Nobody likes being without electricity following a major storm, including your cooperative’s lineworkers. They are affected by outages, too, and must leave their families behind to restore power for everyone else in the community. Let your co-op’s line crews know how much you respect their service with a message of thanks using #ThankaLineman on social media.
Powering up – Download a graphic showing the steps your co-op must follow to safely restore power across the distribution network.
Restoring your power after a storm – When a major storm hits, electric cooperative lineworkers stand ready to swing into action to repair power outages, often before the storm is even over.
Four steps to restoring power – Watch a short video to learn the four steps your co-op must take to ensure that power is restored to members as quickly and as safely as possible.
Geared for safety – When working in the adverse conditions following a storm, your co-op’s line crews rely on their gear to keep them safe. Learn more about their equipment in this short video.