There are three easy ways to view or receive outage information:

• Download the Idaho Power mobile app, available through the Apple Store and Google Play, to receive outage information specific to your home or business. The app will tell you if we know your power is out and the estimated restoration time. It also features an in-app outage map that displays all outages of 10 or more customers in our service area.
• Visit our online outage map.
• Call 208-388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151 (toll free).

If your power has been out for over 10 minutes and is not reflected in the app or on the outage map, please call to report it so we can work to restore your power.  When you call to do so, our Customer Care Team will ask the following:

• Your name, your business’ name (if applicable), address, and telephone number
• The approximate time power was interrupted
• If the entire area is without power, or just your business or home
• If you saw or heard anything unusual when the power went out
• If you can see any power lines on the ground

If there are lines on the ground, stay at least 100 feet away. Assume the lines are energized and dangerous.

Idaho Power’s highest priority is to address hazardous situations, such as downed power lines. Our crews then focus on restoring power to customers and critical facilities, such as hospitals and police and fire departments. As we restore power, different parts of a neighborhood may be on different circuits and may be restored at different times (see question below.)
 

Yes. It’s possible for neighbors to be on different feeders. A feeder is an overhead or underground electrical line that supplies power to a group of customers within a given geographical area. Feeders do not necessarily align with streets, neighborhoods, or community boundaries. Two different feeders could easily serve one street. A feeder can serve up to 2,000 customers.

In the mobile app or on our online outage map, you can view when an outage started, the number of customers impacted, the probable cause, status of the outage, and an estimated restoration time. Outage conditions can change, so check the map for updates as new information is received from crews on site. You can also get this information by calling 208-388-2323 or toll-free 1-800-488-6151.

From the online outage map, you can also sign up to receive text alerts about a specific outage. As of summer 2024, Idaho Power residential customers who have an up-to-date cell phone number on file will automatically receive alerts for outages impacting their homes.

Areas with power outages may have traffic lights that aren’t working or downed power lines. That’s why we advise to keep driving to a minimum in these areas. If you do encounter traffic lights that are out, treat the intersections as four-way stops.

If you encounter a downed power line while driving, always assume it has energy running through it and stay as far away as possible — at least 100 feet. Find out more about what to do around downed power lines and if one falls on your vehicle.

If you have a portable generator, never attempt to connect it to house wiring or plug it into an outlet. This could feed electricity back into Idaho Power’s utility lines and seriously injure or kill Idaho Power crews working to restore your power.

Instead, you may temporarily power an appliance during an outage by plugging it directly into the generator. Always use generators in well-ventilated areas, and make sure the total electric load on your generator won’t exceed the generator’s rating.

For additional information, check out our Using Portable Generators Safely brochure.

If you have highly sensitive equipment, have a licensed electrician install sensors designed to shut off the power supply if major changes in power occur.

You can protect other equipment (like household appliances) by unplugging them or shutting off the circuit breakers until power is restored. We suggest leaving one light on so you’ll know when power has been restored.

After power has been restored for about 10 minutes, turn equipment back on in phases by energizing one breaker or fuse (or large piece of equipment) at a time and ensuring the equipment is working before moving to the next breaker or fuse. This provides additional protection for your equipment.

By keeping the doors closed on your fridge or freezer, cool temperatures can be maintained for several hours. We also recommend keeping a large block of ice in your freezer to help keep things cold. Learn more about food safety during a power outage from the CDC’s food safety website.