Outage Center

Outage Information and Resources

This map is displaying the current outages in WFEC's service area.

During emergency or other large outage situations, the data available may be limited, delayed, or not totally accurate because circumstances are constantly changing.

What happens next:

The main goal is to restore power safely to the greatest number of members in the shortest time possible.

The major cause of outages is damage caused by fallen trees. That’s why your electric cooperative has an ongoing right-of-way maintenance program all year long.

This illustration explains how power typically is restored after a major disaster, like a hurricane or other major storm. While power restoration priorities may differ from co-op to co-op, electric system repairs generally follow a plan similar to the one illustrated in the slider.

A big storm has just hit the countryside! What happens next?

In this simplified diagram, most of the countryside is in the dark. Fortunately, the substation serving the area is energized. It’s receiving power from the transmission lines, shown in red. But a main distribution line from the substation to most of the area is damaged, leaving most of the consumers in this area without power.

All repairs start with the main line. A large number of consumers down the line will have power returned once the main line is fixed.

With the main line now fixed (now shown in red), the electric cooperative line crew can better isolate other damage and prioritize repairs.

Fix Lines into Subdivisions

Though a couple of repairs were closer, fixing the line into this subdivision down the road will get many more consumers on faster.

Another Stretch of Line

Moving back down the road, the crew stops by this intersection to fix a damaged tap line. This repair restores power to the homes (shown with orange arrows) along this stretch of line.

More Houses and Farms

Though a couple of repairs were closer, fixing the line into this subdivision down the road will get many more consumers on faster.

Individual Repairs Begin

By now, the folks in the blue house probably are wondering “what gives?” They see lights in the homes of their neighbors; they’ve seen electric cooperative crews going by their home and working right across the road. And still they have no power!

Finally, all power is restored to the area.

Please note: The cooperative line crew may need to come out in the following days and weeks to make long-term repairs and rebuild sections of line that were severely damaged by the storm. This might mean you will find blinking clocks when you get home from work or be notified of planned short-term power outages.