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

• 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.