To report a power outage, please call 1-888-769-7688. Be prepared to give the following information:

• Account name and your location
• Telephone number at service location
• Nature of problem (power outage, partial power, dim or flickering lights, etc.)
• Any additional information (line down, loud noises, etc.)

When an outage is reported, our employees will respond as soon as possible to restore power to your home or business.

You can turn the power off using the main breaker before you leave. Or if you prefer, you may want to leave the power to some electric appliances and equipment on, such as to the refrigerator.

Not always. If you don't have power, call: (888) 769-7688

The fastest way to report an outage is to use our interactive voice response (IVR) system. This automated system asks for the telephone number at the location where the power is out and then matches that information with the service address and instantly creates an automated report of the outage or problem. Of course, if you would like to speak with a customer service representative, one will be happy to assist you. Bypassing the IVR system to speak to a customer service representative will not hasten your restoration.

There are several reasons this might happen:

Often, we send personnel to survey storm damaged areas before we begin any repairs. This assessment of damage actually speeds restoration and helps us immediately address any dangerous situations.

Crews may need to work elsewhere to fix the problem that's affecting you and your neighbors.

We may need to work on a problem that will restore power to a greater number of customers.

Storm damage can affect main power lines, individual services, transformers or all. Your individual service may be damaged -- or, your home could be on a different main power line than your neighbors. Finally, it may be that your home needs electrical repairs before you can receive service from Santee Cooper. If you have any doubts, call our outage number 1-888-769-7688.

Since each situation is different, it is difficult to be specific. Please be assured that we work aggressively to restore power as quickly as possible after a storm -- including bringing in crews from other areas to assist. We know no one likes to be without power and Santee Cooper employees are committed to providing you with fast, efficient service.

Santee Cooper power plants and the lines that carry electricity from them must be repaired first. Next, power is restored to customers who provide essential services to the community -- such as hospitals, police stations, fire departments, and water & sewer facilities. Then, repairs are made that will return power to the greatest number of customers, such as damaged main feeders. Finally, we restore small groups and make repairs to individual services.

Sometimes damage occurs to a part of the electrical system that is your responsibility and you must contract with a private, licensed electrician to make repairs. Click here to see diagram. After the electrician has completed the necessary repairs, ask that they immediately contact the local building authority to request an inspection. Please make sure the building authority calls Santee Cooper to let us know the inspection is complete and give us permission to reconnect your power.

Consider all downed lines energized and report them to us immediately by calling (888) 769-7688. Stay away and DO NOT TOUCH!

Stay away from flooded areas and debris. These areas can conceal downed power lines.

Resist the temptation to drive around looking at storm damage. You could hinder rescue efforts or restoration efforts and jeopardize your safety. If you see Santee Cooper line trucks, we appreciate allowing us to move ahead in traffic so restoration efforts will not be slowed.

If you're using a generator, operate it outside your home and always connect appliances directly to it. Do not wire your generator directly to your breaker box, as it could back feed on power lines -- sending electricity out toward crews causing them serious or fatal injuries.

Never operate a charcoal grill or gas grill inside the house.

If you have any doubt about the condition of the electrical system in your home or are unsure of how to proceed, call a licensed electrician

Since we can not guarantee that your power will not go out, you should make arrangements to relocate when storms threaten. With a doctor's written confirmation of your medical need, you can be placed on our Life Line program which will provide you with a priority status when possible in the event of unexpected outages.

Keep the doors on their refrigerator and freezer closed. A tight seal on the refrigerator and freezer doors will reduce chances of melting, thawing, and food spoilage.

First, check the circuit breakers. One of the breakers may have tripped off. Next, check to see if the oven or dryer, which are 240 volt appliances, are working properly. If either the oven or the dryer are not working properly, it is advisable to turn off the power to your home at the main breaker. This will eliminate the possibility of any further damage to your electrical appliances and equipment. If both the oven and dryer are working properly and one of the circuit breakers has tripped off, contact an electrician. The problem is internal and must be checked by an electrician.

We use fuses on our system to protect our equipment and lines. The loud noise is a fuse blowing to prevent damage to the system.

Santee Cooper's substations are equipped with circuit breakers similar to those in your home. When there is a problem, the breakers trip to prevent damage to your electrical system. The problem could be a tree limb on the line or a lightning strike. Since these problems are normally temporary, our circuit breakers are designed to reset automatically. These outages typically last less than a second, but it is long enough to cause a digital clock to lose its memory.