Outages
Outages
Have a power outage?
While Alfalfa Electric Cooperative is dedicated to providing the highest quality, most dependable power available, outages do occur and it is important that you know how to help keep your family safe and your cooperative informed.
Before you call to report a power outage, check your main breaker or fuse disconnect at the house or on the meter pole. Also, check to see if your neighbors have power.
Report an outage
The fastest and most efficient way to report an outage is through our SmartHub app on your mobile device. You can download the SmartHub app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You can also access SmartHub in a web browser on your computer or mobile device by going to https://alfalfaelectric.smarthub.coop.
1. Click the My Profile tab.
2. Click the Outages link on the far left. The Outages page appears.
3. Click the Report an Outage link below the Outages heading. The Report an Outage window appears.
4. Enter any useful information about your outage in the Comments field. This includes any unusual sights, sounds and smells, or when the outage began.
5. Click the Report Outage button. A message displays confirming your report was received.
6. Click the Close button to return to the Outages screen.
If you must report an outage by phone, call Alfalfa Electric at 580-596-3333 or 888-736-3837.
When You Call You Will Need To Provide The Following Information:
- The member’s name on the Alfalfa Electric account.
- Your telephone number. If you have an unlisted number, or the phone number on your account has changed, please advise us so we can update your information. This will help us handle your outage call more efficiently.
- Account number (if known).
- Time the power went off (if known).
- Any additional information you have, such as wires being down, trees on line, or similar trouble.
During major outages, our telephone lines may be overloaded with members calling in. Please be patient if the phone lines are busy. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are answered in the order they are received,. Please check for updated during major outages when you like our page on Facebook.
Outage SAfety tips
If someone in your household relies on electric life support equipment, notify AEC at 580-596-3333 or 888-736-3837. Though we cannot guarantee uninterrupted service, special attention can be given to restoring electricity to electric life support equipment during an outage. You may also want to consider temporary precautionary measures such as moving the patient to a hospital or contacting local police or fire departments for emergency equipment.
- The decision to invest in emergency generating equipment is a personal judgment based on one’s own need for uninterrupted service.
- Owning your own generator is ideal, but installing it is not a do-it-yourself project. Have a qualified electrician install an emergency generator according to the National Electrical Code and local ordinances. Make sure the generator has a manual or automatic switch that disconnects it from the main power line. This is a legal requirement. If for some reason you have not met this requirement, use the main switch on your service panel to cut power.
- A generator that remains connected to the main power lines can backfeed power into them, shocking unsuspecting utility workers. A direct-connected generator also may result in a short circuit that can damage the electrical system or create a fire hazard. The generator itself may be damaged or destroyed.
- Don’t operate lanterns, heaters or fuel-fired cook stoves without adequate ventilation.
- Do not burn charcoal indoors because it releases carbon monoxide.
- Always refuel outside away from flames or sparks.
- Don’t store fuel inside your home.
- Wipe up fuel spills immediately.
- Don’t allow children to carry candles or oil lamps around the house. A fall could spell disaster!
- In warm weather the refrigerator will become warm despite your efforts to avoid opening the door. So, use perishable foods as soon as possible.
- In winter, outdoor temperatures will provide good refrigeration. Or, freeze a bucket of water overnight and put in the refrigerator to keep foods cool.
- Do not open the freezer during a power outage. Opening the door or lid shortens the time that food will stay frozen. A full freezer will stay colder longer than one that is half full. To be prepared in advance for a possible power outage, freeze water in slightly underfilled plastic jugs and use them to fill empty spaces.
- You may safely refreeze foods that have thawed if they still contain ice crystals or if they are still cold – about 40oF – and have been held at this temperature no longer than one or two days after thawing. Food warmed to 40oF or higher should not be refrozen.
- Examine each package of food before you decide what to do with it. If the color or odor of the thawed foods is poor or questionable discard it! Do not refreeze foods that are highly susceptible to food spoilage such as poultry, seafood, ice cream or cream sauce mixtures.
- Turn off electrical appliances which were operating at the time the power went off, including your heating system. Leave on one light so you’ll know when service has been restored. Don’t turn on everything at once. This will permit the power to be put back in the line without being knocked off again by the automatic limiting devices that protect our systems from overloads.
- Turning off surface units, the oven, or any part of the range that was “on” when the power went off could eliminate a possible fire hazard if the power comes on when no one is home.
- If you drain your electric water heater to prevent damage from freezing, it’s an absolute necessity to turn off the appropriate circuit breaker or remove the necessary fuse to disconnect the water heater. Otherwise, you could burn out the heating elements should the power come on while the water heater is empty.
- If an outage is prolonged, the lack of water becomes a real problem. You should try to store several gallons of drinking water for such emergencies. Use clean glass or plastic containers. Metal ones will oxidize and give the water an unpleasant taste. Plastic containers are preferable since they will not break. Boil water before storing when you cannot sterilize the container. Water in tightly sealed containers will stay fresh indefinitely. And for an extra measure of safety, boil the water before use.
- Consult the manufacturer’s instructions on how to open the door during a power outage. If you don’t have a manual, check with your home builder or automatic garage door service dealer in your area.