Power Outage? Check Your Utility’s Outage Map and Report Lost Service | Nov. 13

Information checked: November 13, 2026, 5:06 p.m. UTC.

If your power goes out, check the outage map and report the interruption directly to your electric utility. The U.S. Department of Energy directs customers to local utility and emergency-management updates; its guidance does not identify one nationwide customer portal for reporting household outages. With no affected location specified, there is no confirmed local outage or cause to report here. Your utility’s own website, app, or phone line is the place to confirm service status and send a report.

Reporting matters even during a widespread outage: FEMA’s Ready Business power-outage toolkit advises customers to report outages even when a severe event may already be visible to the utility. An outage map can help you see whether nearby customers are affected, but it does not replace a report from your address or an official safety alert.

Destaques

• Find your electric utility through a recent bill or your state utility regulator, then use its official outage page.
• Report your address and contact details through the utility’s listed channel, even if the map already shows nearby outages.
• Map information and restoration estimates can change; follow utility alerts and local emergency instructions.
• Stay away from downed lines and use generators outdoors, at least 20 feet from building openings.

How do I find my utility’s outage map?

Start with the electric company named on your bill. If you do not have a recent bill, search the web for your city or county name plus “electric utility outage map,” then verify that the result belongs to the utility itself. A state public utility commission or consumer advocate may offer a utility lookup if you are unsure which company serves your address. Be cautious with sponsored results and lookalike pages: do not enter account credentials or personal information unless you have confirmed the site or app is official.

Once on the utility’s official site, look for labels such as “Outage Center,” “Report an Outage,” or “Outage Map.” Some providers allow reports in an app or by phone, text, or online account. Available methods differ by utility, so use the contact method published for your service area. The Department of Energy recommends following local utilities and emergency authorities for situation-specific information and restoration updates.

What should I check on the outage map?

Search or zoom to your street, ZIP code, or service address if the map offers that option. Check when the map was updated, whether the utility marks an outage near you, and whether it provides a reported-customer count or an estimated restoration time. These details can help you decide what to do next, but they are snapshots: a map may lag behind field reports, refresh at intervals, or omit an interruption that has not yet been confirmed.

If the map shows no outage, that does not prove that your home has power or that the map is current. Report the issue and check whether your neighbors or common areas still have electricity. If only part of your home is affected, a breaker or a problem with the home’s electrical system may be involved; do not touch exposed wiring or damaged equipment. Contact a qualified electrician when the utility indicates service is available but your home remains without power.

How do I report a power outage?

Use the utility’s official reporting channel and provide the service address, the name on the account if requested, a callback number, and what you observed. State when the power went out and whether the whole home or only part of it is affected. Mention urgent circumstances such as a medical device that depends on electricity, if the reporting form or representative asks. Do not post account numbers, access codes, or personal details publicly on social media.

Save any confirmation number or message. If you have not received an acknowledgment, or conditions change, contact the utility again through its published channel. FEMA’s toolkit says it is advisable to report outages even when a major event is likely already being monitored. A report helps the utility know about the interruption at your location; it does not guarantee a specific restoration time.

What should I do while waiting for power to return?

Follow instructions from your utility and local emergency officials. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed, use battery-powered lights, and unplug sensitive electronics if it is safe to do so. Ready.gov’s outage guidance says a refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours when unopened; discard refrigerated food that has been at 40°F or higher for more than four hours. If extreme heat or cold makes your home unsafe, consider going to a safe location with power and check on neighbors when it is safe.

Never approach a fallen power line or anything touching it; assume it is energized and report it to the utility or emergency services. Call 911 for an immediate threat such as a fire, serious injury, or a life-threatening emergency. Do not use a generator, charcoal grill, or camp stove indoors or in a garage. FEMA advises placing generators outdoors at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and other building openings because carbon monoxide can be deadly.

There is no confirmed location-specific outage or restoration forecast in this article. Timing depends on the utility’s assessment, safety conditions, and the work required. DOE notes that crews prioritize safe restoration and may restore service to critical infrastructure and larger groups of customers before individual neighborhood lines. Keep checking official alerts for updates that apply to your address.

Frequently asked questions

Should I report an outage if it is already on the map?

Yes. Submit a report through your utility’s official channel so it can associate the interruption with your address.

Why does the outage map show no outage at my home?

The map may not have updated or the outage may not have been reported yet. Report it and check for official utility updates.

Who do I contact about a downed power line?

Stay far away and contact the electric utility. Call 911 if the line creates an immediate danger or someone is injured.

Sources checked: U.S. Department of Energy, Staying Informed; Ready.gov, Power Outage Safety Guidance; Ready Business, Power Outage Toolkit.