Question: What do I do if the power goes out?
Answer: First, check to see if power is out throughout your home or business. If not, check the circuit breaker box to see if a switch has tripped or the fuse box to see if a fuse has blown. Then, check to see if neighbors have power. Report an outage by calling 800-799-4443.
Question: Why should I call to report a power outage?
Answer: The more calls we receive, the quicker we are able to diagnose the cause of an outage. For example, if 44 customers call within the same time span, our outage management system will analyze the locations in relationship to each other and to MidAmerican Energy's electric facilities and conclude that the outage is likely due to an isolated problem on a portion of the neighborhood's circuit. If, on the other hand, 440 customers report an outage from the same general area, the analysis may indicate the outage is due to a problem on the entire circuit. Our crews can respond more efficiently and quickly if they have this information.
Question: I have a tree limb on my power line. Can I simply remove it?
Answer: No. Always assume a power line or an object touching a power line is energized and contact a professional.
Question: When should I call 800-799-4443?
Answer: When you have or witness:
  • Loss of power.
  • Power lines hanging low or on the ground.
  • Worn or frayed wires.
  • Wires that appear to be arcing or sparking.
  • Burning tree limbs in wires or pole fires.
  • Pad-mounted electrical equipment that is open, damaged or leaking fluid.
  • Broken, splintered or badly leaning poles.
Question: Don't you know my power is out?
Answer: Not necessarily. Your power outage may be isolated to electrical equipment such as your breaker, conductor, service attachment, mast or meter socket.
Question: Why do you ask so many questions when I call to report an outage?
Answer: The more information we have, the quicker we can track down the cause of the outage.
Question: Why does my neighbor have power but I do not?
Answer: It depends on the cause of the outage. They may receive electricity from a different power line or be on a different circuit.
Question: How do you decide whose power to restore first?
Answer: The following guidelines are used to prioritize outage restoration:
  • The ability to restore service to as many customers as possible through switching and repair of transmission lines. Transmission line repair restores power to a large number of customers.
  • Public health and safety issues, for example, hospitals, emergency facilities and municipal flood pumps.
  • Outage area size or magnitude.
Question: My lights blinked off, then came back on. What happened?
Answer: Momentary power interruptions can be caused by lightning, trees, animals or major faults in adjacent circuits. Although a brief loss of power is inconvenient, opening the circuit momentarily until the fault clears prevents major damage to electric equipment and helps eliminate lengthy outages. The electricity shuts off for a moment, allowing the line to clear, then automatically turns back on.
Question: What does MidAmerican do to prevent power outages?
Answer: To maintain a high level of reliability, dedicated planning and reliability teams:
  • Monitor voltage levels on transmission and distribution lines.
  • Review daily outage reports to identify weaknesses in our system.
  • Evaluate aging equipment such as wires, cables, insulators, cross arms and poles.
  • Determine work necessary for reliability improvements including:
    • Routine tree-trimming programs.
    • Installation of lightning arresters and animal guards.
    • Walking, climbing and performing aerial patrols of our transmission system.
Question: I have a sump pump. How should I prepare before an outage?
Answer: Check to see if you have a sump pump with a battery backup system. If you do not, consider purchasing one. Consult your plumber or local retailer for sump pump options and installation information.
Question: Why doesn't MidAmerican place all power lines underground to prevent power outages?
Answer: Placing all power lines underground would be costly to customers. While underground service would help prevent exposure to animals and nature's elements, they are not without exposure issues, such as being accidently struck by contractors digging in the area. Also, when an outage does occur, it often takes longer to restore service when lines are underground.
Question: Will I receive a refund for the time I am without power?
Answer: No. Since electricity is metered, you're never charged for power you don't use.