Fall has arrived, and harsh seasonal weather won’t be far behind. This is the time of year when we start to see the conditions that can break tree limbs, topple trees, and create hazardous roads, all of which have the potential to cause power outages.
At Emerald, we make every effort to provide reliable, uninterrupted power to our customers; however, some outages simply cannot be prevented.
During cold temperatures, outages can become more than inconvenient. If not properly prepared, being without power for an extended amount of time can impact a family’s health and safety. That’s why we urge you to prepare now, before severe weather arrives.
How to Prepare
- Build or restock an emergency kit. Include emergency phone numbers, cash, and first aid supplies. These websites are excellent resources to help you determine what to include in your kit:
- Store flashlights, batteries, and a battery-operated radio where you can easily find them, even while in the dark.
- Store at least a two-week supply of nonperishable food and water for each member of your household. Do the same for pets and livestock.
- If you need electricity for health care or life-support equipment, make a backup emergency plan to meet your needs. Talk to your physician about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and/or refrigerated medicines.
OUTAGE SAFETY
- NEVER go near downed power lines or anything that is touching a downed line, such as a fence, tree, or vehicle.
- ALWAYS treat downed lines as though they are energized, even if they don’t appear to be. Lines can be energized at any moment with a deadly amount of electricity.
Oregon's Department of Emergency Management recommends preparing for a minimum of 2 weeks in case of emergencies. Learn more at www.oregon.gov/oem
EASY WAYS TO REPORT AN OUTAGE
During widespread outages, our phone lines are often flooded with calls, making it difficult for callers to get through. That’s why we offer two more ways to report an outage. 
- Use your laptop to log in to SmartHub at www.epud.org. Then send an instant outage notification to our 24-hour service line.
- Use your mobile device to log into the free SmartHub app. It provides the same tools found online with easy access from your mobile device.
IMPORTANT: Sign up to SmartHub BEFORE the next outage happens. Sign up is quick and easy! Remember, you will need to provide your account number. We recommend setting up your login to SmartHub now, before you need to report an outage.