What you notice, what to do

  • IfA wire is on the ground, in a tree or across a fenceThenTreat it as energized. Stay far away, keep others back, call 911 if it is near people or sparking, and report it to your electric utility.
  • IfThe mast or wires where power enters your house are bent or pulled awayThenReport it to the utility. Repairs to the mast on the house are usually the owner's responsibility and need a licensed electrician.
  • IfYou smell gas or hear hissingThenLeave the building right away without switching lights or using phones inside. From a safe distance, call 911 or the gas utility's emergency line.
  • IfWater reached outlets, a furnace or the electrical panelThenStay out of that water. Have an electrician check equipment before it is used again.
  • IfPower is out and you plan to run a generatorThenRun it outdoors only, far from doors, windows and vents, and never connect it to house wiring without a proper transfer switch.

Approaching a damaged house safely

  1. Look before you walk

    Scan the yard for wires hidden in branches, debris or puddles. Water and wet snow can carry current.

  2. Check the meter and mast from a distance

    Note any bent pipe, torn wires or a meter pulled loose. Photograph it for the utility and your insurer.

  3. Sniff at the door

    If there is any gas odor at all, do not go in.

  4. Watch for structural movement

    A sagging roofline, cracked walls or a tree resting on the house are reasons to stay outside until someone qualified looks.

  5. Shut off what you safely can

    If the panel is dry and you are standing on a dry floor, switching off circuits in damaged areas can limit risk.

Who to contact in the area

Immediate danger
911
Most of Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Utilities provides electric and natural gas service to much of the city; confirm on your bill
Outlying areas
Fountain, eastern El Paso County and mountain towns may be served by other electric or gas providers; your bill names yours
Electrical repairs on the house
A licensed electrician; work may require a permit through the regional building department

Why storm cleanup and utilities overlap

Tarping a roof often means working near the service drop, the overhead line from the pole to the house. Hail can crack the weatherhead on top of the mast, and wind can pull the mast back. A careful contractor will look at that line before setting a ladder and will refuse to work near it if it is damaged.

After big outages, generators are common in the Pikes Peak region, and carbon monoxide is a real risk in attached garages and basements. Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have working batteries before the power goes out. A generator connected straight into a dryer outlet or panel can send power back onto the line and endanger utility workers, which is why a transfer switch matters.

Gas risks come from damaged meters, a tree hitting the gas riser, or appliances moved by flooding. Leave gas valves to the utility unless you have been told how and when to use them.

General information for Colorado Springs, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.