Storm Center - Frequently Asked Questions

Power Restoration
When To Call If You Experience An Outage
DS&O Personnel Assigned to Work Outages
How You Can Help During An Outage
DS&O's Power Supply System During A Major Outage or Severe Weather Threat
Your Safety During an Outage
Your Bill or Damage to Your Property During or After an Outage

Questions About Your Bill or Damage to Your Property During or After an Outage

Q. What about my bill if I have to relocate? Will I be charged a late fee?

A. We recognize that some areas may be damaged so much that normal household routines, including bill paying, could be disrupted for a period of time. If you have incurred significant damage to your home or business that forces you to relocate, please contact DS&O regarding your account and address, and we will work with you to resolve billing and late fee issues.

Q. The electrical service line from the pole to my house appears to be pulled away from the house. What should I do?

A. DS&O personnel will be inspecting service lines and will determine if an electrician is required to fix the damage or if DS&O can make repairs. Piping that houses wires attached to the side of your home or business is considered part of the house wiring and can only be worked on by a licensed electrician.

Q. Why are my electric motors or machines running backward?

A. Turn off machinery immediately and call DS&O. A technician will determine whether electric power phases are connected properly.

Q. Will DS&O pay for food that spoils?

A. DS&O cannot guarantee continuity of service, so there is not a requirement that we pay for food that might spoil due to electric service interruptions. Food in a chest freezer will keep for 72 hours if you do not open the freezer frequently. You can also place heavy blankets on the freezer to slow defrost.

Q. Will DS&O pay for damage to appliances, electronic equipment or other personal property damaged in a power loss or during power restoration?

A. DS&O cannot guarantee continuity of service, so there is not a requirement that we pay for damage. Following a storm, it's possible that service restored in one spot could be temporarily impacted by work elsewhere, including an accident or emergency condition that requires us to temporarily turn power off at the request of police or fire. We encourage customers to consider precautions, such as unplugging, turning off or limiting use of electronically sensitive and/or non-essential appliances.

Q. What are the vulnerabilities of underground and overhead electric service?

A. Overhead lines are exposed to high winds and flying debris. Underground facilities can be subject to flooding. Repair and replacement time is about the same for equipment with similar functions. Repairs can take longer if an underground fault needs to be located and repaired.