The average Idaho Power customer is without power for fewer than 4 hours a year. But sometimes, like in the case of extreme weather or wildfires, outages can last for hours or even longer. We want to make sure our customers are ready for any outage, short or long.
How You Can Prepare
Stay informed. Know how to get the latest updates when an outage happens.
- Download our free mobile app to sign up for outage-related push notifications, view the outage map, and track your power status.
- As of summer 2024, all Idaho Power residential customers with a mobile phone number on file will receive text alerts when an outage impacts their home. Ensure you receive outage alerts by updating your contact information in My Account.
- If available, sign up for free emergency alerts from local police departments, sheriff’s offices, fire departments, and other emergency-response agencies. Oregon customers can sign up for alerts from local agencies here.
- Pay attention to weather and fire alerts issued by national agencies.
- Download the FEMA app.
Make a plan. Whether you have special medical needs or livestock to water, make sure you’re ready for your unique needs and those of your loved ones during a long outage.
- Prepare for medical needs, whether those are related to refrigerated medicine or electrically powered medical equipment. This could mean finding a place you can go during an outage or buying a backup generator. See additional tips for vulnerable populations.
- Find a way to feed and water pets, service animals, or livestock in case well pumps don’t have power.
- Know how to manually open and close electric-powered security gates and garage doors.
- Map out your evacuation route and make a back-up transportation plan in case primary transportation is not available. Contact your local law enforcement agency for an evacuation guide and designate a place to meet up with family. Check out the Idaho Office of Emergency Management for tips on making a Family Preparedness Kit.
- Build a line of defense around your home to reduce fire danger. You can find helpful tips and strategies here.
Build an outage kit. Make sure you have everything you need to help you safely get through an outage, whether in the heat of summer or cold of winter.
- Flashlights with batteries
- Matches
- Blankets
- Bottled water (five gallons per person)
- Non-perishable food (canned goods, crackers, etc.)
- Non-electric can opener
- Baby food or formula and diapers, if needed
- Pet food, if needed
- First-aid kit and any prescription medications
- Battery or solar-powered chargers for your devices (phones, tablets, etc.)
- Battery-powered radio, clock, and fans (for hot weather)
- Extra batteries
- A block of ice in the freezer
What to Do If Your Power Goes Out
- Check the app or our Outage Map. If your power has been out for 10 minutes and you don’t see your outage, report it at 1-800-488-6151.
- For safety reasons, use battery-powered lights instead of candles.
- Never use an electric generator indoors, inside the garage, or near the air intake of your house. If you plan to use a generator during an outage, ensure it meets National Electrical Code Articles 701 and 702 and does not interconnect with Idaho Power’s electrical system. If you have questions, contact us beforehand at 208-388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151. In addition, check out this Using Portable Generators Safely brochure.
- To protect your appliances, machinery and equipment, turn off any that were in use when the power went out. Make sure to turn off electric ranges or space heaters to prevent the possibility of a fire if you’re away when power is restored. Keep one light turned on so you know when power has been restored.
- After power has been restored for about 10 minutes, begin turning on appliances and lighting in 10-minute phases. This keeps circuits from overloading and helps to more quickly and safely restore everyone’s power.
- To keep food cold longer, avoid opening refrigerator and freezer doors, and keep a large block of ice in the freezer. Find more tips at the CDC’s food safety webpage.
- If you notice a downed power line, stay as far away as possible but at least 100 feet, and report it to Idaho Power by calling 1-800-488-6151. Read more about being safe around downed power lines.
Find additional tips at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s emergency preparedness page and ready.gov.
For assistance with a PDF on this page or to request a PDF in an alternate format, please contact Customer Service at 208-388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151