Sunny and Bright, But Power Still Out? Learn Why

Sunny and Bright, But Power Still Out? Learn Why

Is it sunny and warm out, yet your power has still gone out? This can feel baffling, as we normally associate power outages with extreme weather conditions. However, there are a wide range of things that can cause power outages other than just the weather. Read on to learn more about what these things can be.

Animal Interference

Our furry friends can sometimes get crossed in the wires. Squirrels can jump on the wrong spot, raccoons can get into transformers, rodents can chew through wires, birds can make nests in the wrong place, and the list goes on. When this happens, it can cause power outages that our linemen must go out and repair.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents can be another culprit of power outages. Vehicles can hit electric poles causes damage and downed lines. If you ever find yourself in such a car accident, stay in your vehicle until help arrives. Downed lines can still carry electric charge, and leaving your car can have deadly consequences. If you must leave the scene of the accident, it is best to bunny hop or shuffle, moving both feet at the same time, as this will keep the electric current flowing evenly through your body preventing electrocution.

Construction

Despite the best laid preparations, construction can sometimes cause power outages as well. KREMC works with construction companies in the area and provides them with any tools or guidance they need to successfully build, but occasionally unforeseen mishaps occur.

Vandalism & Theft

Unfortunately, vandalism and theft can be another cause of power outages. Vandalizing the electric grid is a criminal offense under both state and federal law, and comes with severe charges.

Trees & Vegetation

Another culprit from nature are trees and vegetation. Overgrown trees, fallen branches, and leaves can cause power outages. KREMC has partnered with Mint City Tree Services to maintain the trees and vegetation around KREMC lines, so as to minimize with risk as much as possible. Learn more about what Mint City Tree Services does here: https://kremc.com/tree-management-program/

Equipment Failure

Sometimes, something as simple as equipment failure can cause an outage. At Kosciusko REMC, we are a not-for-profit organization. Any profits we make go to infrastructure improvement or go back to our members in the form of capital credits. We currently have a 5-year engineering plan to keep our infrastructure up to date and working efficiently, so we can prevent these types of outages.

High Energy Demand

During the sweltering heat of summer or biting cold of winter, energy demand can skyrocket, putting excessive strain on the electric grid. KREMC plans for this by investing in infrastructure and planning for these times of high demand.

As you can see, power outages can be caused by many things, not just the weather, even though this is a common culprit. Experiencing an outage? Visit our Outage Center to report it and learn more: https://kremc.com/service/outage-center/