24 Hour Emergency Outage Service
Report outages instantly by logging into SmartHub. (Download the free SmartHub app to access your account from your mobile device.) You can also report an outage at (541) 746-1583 anytime, day or night.
We do our best to ensure you have as few service interruptions as possible, but sometimes weather conditions or car accidents cause the power to go out.
This page contains information on safety tips and additional information on how to properly prepare for an outage. If you want to receive proactive outage alerts and updates via your cell phone or mobile device, you can view or follow EPUD’s Twitter account.
Watch EPUD’s Steps to Restoring Power video below:
Media Outlets
EPUD also communicates outage information to the following media outlets:
- KMTR-16
- KEZI-9
- KVAL-13
- FOX
- KLCC (89.7)
- KUGN (590AM)
- KZEL (96.1)
- KKNX (84)
- KPNW (1120AM)
- KNND (1400AM)
- KMGE (94.5)
- KKNU (93)
- KRVM (91.9)
- Register Guard
- Eugene Weekly
- Daily Emerald
- Fern Ridge Review
- Creswell Chronicle
- Tri-County Tribune
- The Torch
- Mohawk Watershed
- Springfield Times
- Cottage Grove Sentinel
When the Power Goes Off
- Check your electrical panel. Look for tripped breakers or blown fuses. Try to reset the breakers by switching them off then on.
- If this isn’t the source of the problem, then call Emerald at (541) 746-1583. We don’t automatically know when there’s an outage. We rely on you to let us know. If the phone is busy, it most likely means the outage is widespread and many people are calling in. Listen to the outgoing message to see if we are already aware of an outage in your area. If we know of an outage, we try to change the message to include the location as soon as that information is available.
- Turn off major appliances. The water heater and heating system breakers need to be turned off to avoid overloading your circuits when the power is restored. Unplug any voltage-sensitive equipment, like computers or televisions.
- Install surge protectors to protect voltage-sensitive equipment.
- Switch on an outside light. This can assist our crews in determining whether or not your power has been restored.
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food in a refrigerator will last 12 to 24 hours if the doors are kept closed. A full freezer can last 24 to 48 hours.
- Listen to radio reports. Keep either a battery-operated or battery-free (hand-crank) radio on hand for emergencies.
- Never go near or touch a downed power line.
- Never wire a portable generator directly into your electrical panel.
Additional Resources
- Tips for Extended Outages (PDF)
- How to Make a 72 Hour Emergency Kit (PDF)
- If Your Home Freezer Stops (PDF)
Steps to Restoring Power
View our Steps to Restoring Power (PDF).
Outage FAQ’s
Call us at (541) 746-1583 anytime day or night, to report a power outage. You can also report an outage by logging into your account via SmartHub, Emerald's payment and account management system. (Download the SmartHub app to access your account from your mobile device.)
We do our best to ensure you have as few service interruptions as possible, but sometimes weather conditions or car accidents cause the power to go out. If you would like to receive proactive outage alerts and updates to your cell phone or mobile device, follow us on Twitter.
Power outages are most commonly caused by bad weather, trees contacting electric lines or equipment, motor vehicle accidents affecting electric equipment or facilities, equipment failure, or damage done by animals. Also, faulty wiring and equipment within your building can cause a localized power outage.
Check your fuses and circuit breakers. Make sure that everyone in your family knows where the breaker box is located and how to handle fuses and breakers. If this isn't the source of the problem, call Emerald at (541) 746-1583. Turn off your electric water heater (usually the top left-hand circuit breaker) and unplug any solid-state electrical equipment (microwave, VCR, TV) so that it won't be damaged by a power overload when the electricity comes back on. Turn on your porch light or other outside light so that when our crews are in the area they can more easily see which houses have power and which don't. It also helps them know when and where the power is back on.
Once Emerald PUD is aware of the outage, an EPUD employee is immediately sent to patrol the outage area and identify the problem. The employee takes action to isolate the problem and restore power to as many customers as possible. Depending on the problem, a crew may have to be called to work on repairs. Outage lengths vary, depending on the severity of the problem. EPUD tries to change the front outage message to include all areas affected by outages within 30 minutes of the first notification.
When a major power outage occurs, restoring electric service is often a complicated process. Damage to the utility's electric distribution system that is caused by wind, ice, lighting, trees, or other severe weather conditions usually is not isolated to one specific area. Under these conditions, EPUD’s primary objective is to get the power back on for everyone in the most systematic, efficient, and safe manner. That's why we use the TSDS system:
- (T) Transmission lines
- (S) Substations
- (D) Distribution lines
- (S) Service lines
When a widespread power outage occurs, the first location that service crews check is the substation. The substation is the source from which all power is distributed. Service crews then start working their way out along the main distribution lines, or "feeders." These main feeders are repaired first, followed by the lines serving groups of homes, and finally, repairs at individual homes are made. View our Steps to Restoring Power (PDF).
Many customers are planning to purchase or already own a generator. Generators must be installed properly or they can back-feed through the service line to the distribution lines, causing a serious safety hazard for the crews restoring power, and your neighbors who may think the power lines are dead. Generators should be connected to the building's electrical system using an approved transfer switch. The alternative is to plug selected appliances and equipment directly into the generator.