OUTAGE: Electric 913.573.9522 | Water 913.573.9622
OUTAGE:
Electric 913.573.9522
OUTAGE:
Water 913.573.9622
Widespread Electric Outage Restoration Protocols and Safety Tips

Widespread Electric Outage Restoration Protocols and Safety Tips

(KANSAS CITY, Kan.) — Up to 70 mph winds hit Kansas City last evening knocking out power to more than 95,000 in the metropolitan area, including over 12,000 BPU customers. BPU crews have been working all night during additional weather activity, and continue working hard to restore power to the remaining customers without power.

If you do Experience a Power Outage, Take the Following Steps.

  • Check BPU’s Outage Map to determine if your neighborhood is on the outage list. If you need to report an outage in your area, call BPU’s emergency number at 913-573-9522. Due to the large volume of calls in mass outage events, customers may need to leave a message with their name, address and phone number.
  • If you see wires down, do not touch or go near them and keep other family members away from any downed power lines.
  • Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
  • Turn off electric burners, ovens, electronic equipment. and computers (dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers can be left on).
  • Turn on your porch or entry light and one inside light so that both you and the power crews can tell when service has been restored.

BPU Outage Restoration Protocols
With 3,000 miles of electric lines, 29 substations, 16,500 transformers, and 19,000 streetlights to service, BPU’s electrical system is spread out over a 135 sq. mile area which includes both urban and rural areas. Once a large power outage occurs, BPU and other utilities follow specific Outage Restoration Protocols for restoring power quickly and safely to their communities. These include:


  • Check Generation Facilities to determine if the original power source is still operating.
  • Repair Transmission Lines that carry electricity from the generation stations to substations.
  • Repair Substations where high-voltage power from the transmission lines is reduced for home usage.
  • Repair Distribution Lines that carry electricity from substations to each neighborhood.
  • Restore power to Critical Functions First, such as police, fire, and hospitals, as well as critical medical alert customers if possible.
  • Repair the Tap Lines that serve anywhere from 20-300 homes and businesses.
  • Reconnect lines to Individual Customers. This is the most difficult and time-consuming step in the restoration process

What to do if Your Power Goes Out:
While BPU has outage management protocols and procedures in place to restore power as quickly as possible, it is also important that utility customers prepare for potential power failures and know how to react. A few simple preparations can reduce the inconveniences caused by a power outage.

Step 1… If your power goes out, check first to see if your neighbors have power. If you are the only home without electricity, check the main fuse in your electric service panel or fuse box to see if the main circuit breaker has been tripped or if a fuse has blown. If your neighbors do not have electricity either, then you know there has been a power outage in your area. You can also check out BPU’s Outage Map to determine if your area is impacted, the extent of the outage, repairs made, outages remaining, etc.

Step 2… If you don’t see your area list on BPU’s Outage Map, report your power outage by calling BPU’s Trouble Call System at 913-573-9522. An automated system will prompt you for information. Simply follow the instructions and utility crews will immediately be notified of your outage.

Step 3… Turn off major appliances such as your electric range and washer/dryer. Turn off the majority of your light switches but leave a few on so you know when the power has been restored. This reduces the electrical demand once the power has been restored.

Step 4… Unplug sensitive electronic equipment such as your TV, personal computer, microwave, etc. This will reduce the chance of damage caused by electrical surges.

Step 5… Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed to conserve the cold inside. You never know how long the power will be out, and you don’t want food to spoil.

About BPU

BPU’s water department was originally created in 1909, and its electric utility was operational in 1912. The purpose of the utility, then and to this day, is to provide the highest quality electric and water services at the lowest possible cost. Today the publicly owned utility serves approximately 65,000 electric and 53,000 water customers, primarily in Wyandotte County, Kansas. The mission of the utility and its employees is “to focus on the needs of our customers, to improve the quality of life in our community while promoting safe, reliable and sustainable utilities.” BPU’s Web site is www.bpu.com.

 

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