Downed Power Line
If You See a Downed Powerline
- Never come in close proximity or touch a fallen power line.
- Never touch anything or anyone in contact with a power line.
You could be shocked by contact with the line or a secondary object or person. When a live wire touches the ground, electricity fans out in a pool, similar to when a pebble hits water, with the voltage decreasing as it travels from the center. You can be shocked when in this area. Other factors play a role in the severity of the situation, such as wet conditions and the voltage of the wire.
Reporting a Downed Power Line
- Don't touch any fallen power line — stay away and call Vectren immediately.
- Call Vectren at 1-800-227-1376 immediately and report the location of the line. Alert your neighbors to the situation.
- Call 911 if someone is in a vehicle that is touching a line. DO NOT approach or make contact with the person or vehicle. Wait for emergency personnel.
When Vehicles Comes In Contact With Power Lines
If you are inside a vehicle:
- Stay inside the vehicle and warn others to keep away.
- Wait inside the vehicle until rescue personnel arrive.
- DO NOT make contact with metal parts in the vehicle.
- If you have to get out of the vehicle because of a fire or other danger:
- Jump out so that you DO NOT touch the vehicle and ground at the same time.
- Don’t run. Hop away keeping your feet together. Separating your feet can create two contact points with the ground and can result in a shock if the ground is energized by a fallen wire.
For more information about power outages, go to the Outage Center.
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