A downed power line is one of the most dangerous situations that can arise after a storm. These wires can carry thousands of volts of electricity, even if after being knocked over. This poses serious risks, yet many people underestimate the danger or don’t know how to respond when they see one.
Whether it’s outside your home, near your business, or in the road, knowing exactly what to do (and what not to do) when a power line falls can make all the difference in your safety. In this guide, we walk you through how to respond to downed power lines step by step, with safety tips to practice until professional help arrives.
What Are Downed Power Lines?
Power lines are nearly everywhere. They distribute electricity from power plants to homes and businesses, powering everything from our lights and appliances to electronics and more. But when they fall or start to lean over, they shift from a convenience to a serious safety risk.
Downed power lines are any power lines that have fallen from their usual elevated position, usually due to storms, car accidents, high winds, or tree damage. This can trigger a power outage in the nearby vicinity, causing homes and businesses without backup generators to have no electricity for hours or days at a time.
But downed power lines don’t only cause power outages. They are also a major safety issue.
Downed Power Line Safety Risks
Even if a fallen power line appears to be inactive, there’s no way to visually confirm whether it’s still live. Many power lines continue carrying high voltage even after they’re down. This can cause many safety risks, including:
- Electrocution: Touching downed power lines or even being near them can cause electric shock.
- Electrical fires: Downed wires can easily ignite nearby vegetation, structures, or vehicles and cause a fire. 19% of all wildfires between 2016 and 2020 were caused by electrical power networks.1
- Ground conduction: Electricity can travel through the ground around downed power lines, creating a “step potential” hazard. This means the ground can be energized up to 35 feet away.2
- Hidden hazards: Downed power lines may be concealed by debris, water, or foliage, increasing the risk of accidental contact. This is especially true after a storm.
These risks highlight how important it is to know what steps to take if you ever stumble across a downed power line.
How to Stay Safe Around Downed Power Lines
The steps you take immediately after encountering downed power lines can make all the difference in your safety. Below is an overview of what to do if you see downed lines and tips for staying safe.
1. Assume All Downed Wires are Live
It’s impossible to tell if a power line is energized by looking at it alone. That’s why the Electrical Safety Foundation International (EFSI) recommends assuming all downed lines are live, just to be safe.2
Never attempt to determine if a power line is active. Do not attempt to lift, move, or cover the power line under any circumstances. Even using non-metal materials like a broom or a stick still puts you at risk of injury. Anything can carry electricity if it’s just the slightest bit damp.
2. Keep a Safe Distance
If you come across a downed power line, it’s important to keep a safe distance and stay at least 35 feet away at all times.2 If you’re on foot and need to move away, take small, shuffled steps. Always keep your feet together and on the ground to minimize the risk of electrocution.
3. Call Emergency Services Immediately
Once you’ve safely distanced yourself from the downed power line, it’s important to call 911 immediately. Provide a clear description of your location and any visible hazards so crews can respond quickly and safely.
4. Warn Others to Stay Back
As you wait for professional help to arrive, keep your distance and warn others to do the same. If it’s safe to do so, use cones, barriers, or clear verbal warnings to keep others away.
Once emergency responders arrive on scene, it is there responsibility to ensure your safety and guide you through the next steps.
Downed Power Line Safety in Unique Scenarios
Not all downed power line incidents look the same. Sometimes safety protocols may vary depending on the unique situation.
Below are some safety tips for navigating downed power lines in different scenarios.
If a Downed Line Lands on Your Vehicle
If you’re inside a vehicle that a power line has fallen on, the EFSI recommends staying in the car until help arrives.2 Honking your horn can alert others nearby that you need assistance. However, until professionals arrive, do your best to direct others to stay away from your vehicle.
If there is a fire and you have to leave your car, keep both feet together when you jump out. Never make contact with both the car and the ground at once. Don’t separate your feet, and shuffle away from the vehicle until you’re a safe distance away.
If the windshield is broken, stay inside unless there is imminent danger. Don’t try touching or moving the wire in any way.
If a Downed Power Line is In Water
Water can conduct electricity over a wide area, sometimes more than 35 feet. If a power line has fallen in or near water, especially after a storm, stay as far away as possible. Do not attempt to walk or drive through flooded streets if there are any downed power lines nearby.
If Someone is in Contact with a Downed Line
If you see someone is in contact with a downed power line, never try to pull someone free with your hands. Instead, call 911 immediately. Stay away from the line and anything it’s touching and wait for emergency responders. They will have the proper equipment and safety training to help.
Contact Sonoma County’s Electrical Safety Experts
Downed power lines are a dangerous emergency. With the right knowledge and quick action, you can minimize risk to yourself, those around you, and your property. Always assume a fallen line is live, stay away, and call emergency services immediately.
At Schafer Electric, we have years of experience helping North Bay residents improve the safety of their electrical systems. Whether you’re looking to install a standby generator to prepare for outages or need a safety inspection, our team is here to help.
Contact us online today to learn more about our expert electrician services.
References
- 1. Sayarshad, H. R. (n.d.). Preignition risk mitigation model for analysis of wildfires caused by electrical power conductors. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, 153, 109353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2023.109353
- 2. Majano, D. (2021, August 10). Downed power lines. Electrical Safety Foundation International. https://www.esfi.org/downed-power-lines/
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