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Power outages during storms can create hazards beyond darkness, especially when wind, falling trees, flooding, or electrical equipment damage are involved. Residents in Knoxville, TN should first protect people and property, then report the outage and manage food, temperature, lighting, and essential equipment safely.
What should you do first when the electricity goes out?
Start by checking whether the outage affects only your home or the surrounding area. Look outside only from a safe location, check whether nearby homes are also dark, and inspect the electrical panel only if there is no smoke, water, burning odor, or visible damage.
If the outage appears limited to your home, turn off or unplug sensitive electronics and check for a tripped breaker. Do not repeatedly reset a breaker that trips again. A recurring trip may indicate damaged wiring, a short circuit, water intrusion, or an overloaded circuit.
If the outage affects the neighborhood, report it and look for hazards from indoors or from a safe distance. Knoxville Utilities Board, commonly known as KUB, advises residents not to approach downed lines, leaning trees near power lines, vegetation resting on lines, or damaged electrical equipment. Outages can be confirmed through KUB’s outage map, mobile app, or emergency phone line at 865-524-2911. ([kub.org](https://www.kub.org/outage-center/power-outage-guide?utm_source=openai))
How can you stay safe around downed power lines?
Assume every fallen or sagging power line is energized. Electricity can travel through wet grass, standing water, fences, tree limbs, and other conductive materials.
- Stay at least several car lengths away from the line and anything touching it.
- Keep children and pets indoors or well away from the area.
- Do not drive over a fallen line.
- Do not move branches, storm debris, or fencing that may be in contact with electrical equipment.
- Report the location to KUB at 865-524-2911. Do not approach the line to determine whether it is active. ([kub.org](https://www.kub.org/outage-center/power-outage-guide?utm_source=openai))
If a line falls on a vehicle, remain inside unless fire or another immediate danger makes the vehicle unsafe. Warn others to stay away and call emergency services.
Storm damage can also affect the service bracket, weatherhead, service cables, or meter socket attached to a home. These components may be the homeowner’s responsibility, and damaged customer-owned equipment may need repair before utility service can be safely restored. KUB states that a qualified electrician is required for repairs to damaged customer-owned electrical service equipment before reconnection. ([kub.org](https://www.kub.org/outage-center/power-outage-guide?utm_source=openai))
Is it safe to use a generator during a storm outage?
A portable generator must be operated outdoors in a well-ventilated location at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and garage openings. Never run one inside a home, basement, crawl space, shed, or attached garage, even if a door is open. Carbon monoxide is odorless and can build up quickly. ([ready.gov](https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/ready.gov_power-outage_hazard-info-sheet.pdf?utm_source=openai))
Keep the generator dry and protected from rain without enclosing it in a way that restricts airflow. Refuel only after the engine has cooled, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for extension cords, grounding, and connected loads.
Never connect a portable generator directly to a home outlet. This can send electricity backward through utility lines and seriously injure or kill utility workers. A properly installed transfer switch is required for safe connection to a home electrical system.
Do not use these devices to heat a home:
- Gas ovens or stovetops
- Charcoal grills
- Outdoor propane heaters
- Camp stoves
- Vehicles running in a garage or enclosed area
These methods can cause fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. If anyone develops headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, chest pain, or confusion while a fuel-burning device is operating, move outdoors immediately and seek emergency help.
How should you protect food and refrigerated medicine?
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator generally keeps food cold for about four hours, while a full freezer can remain at a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours, depending on conditions and how often it is opened. Use an appliance thermometer if available. ([ready.gov](https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/ready.gov_power-outage_hazard-info-sheet.pdf?utm_source=openai))
Discard refrigerated food that has been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than four hours. Do not rely on smell, appearance, or taste to determine whether food is safe. When uncertain, throw it away.
A full freezer holds its temperature longer than a partly filled freezer. Grouping frozen items together can help them stay cold, but avoid placing food outdoors because outdoor temperatures can fluctuate and animals or contamination may be a problem.
Medication requiring refrigeration needs separate attention. Check the medication label and ask a pharmacist or physician how long it can remain at room temperature. Do not assume that placing it in a cooler automatically makes it safe.
What lighting and electrical precautions matter most?
Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns instead of candles. Open flames can ignite curtains, furniture, paper, or oxygen equipment, particularly in crowded rooms or homes with children and pets.
Unplug televisions, computers, chargers, major appliances, and other sensitive equipment during the outage. When power returns, voltage fluctuations or surges may damage electronics. Leave one light switched on so the household knows when service has returned, then reconnect equipment gradually.
Avoid plugging multiple high-wattage appliances into one extension cord or power strip. Portable heaters, refrigerators, freezers, pumps, and cooking appliances can overload circuits even when electricity has been restored.
How should households handle heat or cold indoors?
Storm outages in this region can occur during both humid summer weather and freezing winter conditions. During hot weather, close blinds during the brightest part of the day, drink water, limit strenuous activity, and check on older adults, infants, people with medical conditions, and pets. Seek a cooler location if indoor heat becomes unsafe. ([ready.gov](https://www.ready.gov/heat?utm_source=openai))
During cold weather, dress in layers and gather household members in one room to conserve warmth. Never use a gas range, charcoal grill, or generator for indoor heat. If the home becomes dangerously cold, relocate before conditions worsen, especially if someone depends on powered medical equipment.
What should you do after power returns?
Wait until the utility indicates that service is stable before turning on major appliances. Check for flickering lights, burning smells, buzzing, scorch marks, warm outlets, or breakers that trip repeatedly. These signs can indicate damage that should not be ignored.
Look for water intrusion around outlets, panels, appliances, and wiring. Do not touch electrical equipment while standing in water. If the home or electrical equipment has been flooded, keep away from the area until it has been evaluated and made safe.
KUB’s restoration process prioritizes critical systems, transmission and substation equipment, distribution lines, and then smaller service lines and individual connections. As a result, restoration times can differ between nearby streets or homes. ([kub.org](https://www.kub.org/outage-center/order-of-restoration?utm_source=openai))
Keep emergency supplies ready for the next storm: flashlights, spare batteries, phone-charging options, bottled water, shelf-stable food, medications, a battery-powered radio, and copies of important information. A storm outage is easier to manage when the household can stay informed without opening the refrigerator, using unsafe heat sources, or approaching damaged electrical equipment.