What Is OUC Doing?
OUC is closely monitoring the approaching storm and preparing for [event name]’s impact in the region. At this time, all OUC business functions—including customer service—continue modified normal operations until [date and time].

Storm Preparation Resources
Keep Your Info Updated
Log in to myOUC and verify that your phone number and email are up to date.
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Keep informed of electric outages and water problems in your area via voice, text or email.
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Stay Connected
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Report an Outage
There are three ways to report an outage:
- Text OUT to 69682 (myOUC)
- Log in to your myOUC account
- Call the 24-hour reporting line at (407) 423-9018
Your Storm Action Plan
Discover what you should do before, during and after a hurricane or severe storm.
Before A Storm

Making a plan is key to staying safe during a storm.
- Keep trees trimmed at least 10 feet away from power lines. Learn more about OUC’s tree trimming services if you need help.
- Update your contact information with OUC. You can do this by logging into your myOUC account.
- Write down your OUC account number. You’ll want this handy during the storm in case you need to report an outage over the phone.
- Other Helpful Tips:
- Monitor local TV and radio broadcasts for up-to-date emergency information.
- Consult your family emergency plan, identifying meeting places, contact information and responsibilities.
- Prepare your home by protecting windows and clearing your patio and yard of lawn furniture, toys and debris.
- Fill containers with at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. Don’t forget about pets!
- Fill your bathtub with water. If you lose water service during the storm, pour this water into a toilet to force it to flush.
- Locate the nearest shelters.
During a Storm

- Continue to monitor local broadcast media for updates.
- Do not go outside or drive around.
- Go to a safe room with few or no windows at the center of the structure.
- Wait until after the storm to contact OUC about your power outage unless it is a life-threatening emergency. If you encounter a life-threatening situation, such as flames or a downed wire that is sparking, smoking or burning, call 911 immediately.
- Do not use the dishwasher or washing machine to help prevent overflowing the stormwater system.
- If you lose power, keep your refrigerator doors closed as much as possible to maintain coldness of your food.
- Limit water use to essential needs—drinking, cooking and hygiene.
After a Storm

- Notify OUC about downed power lines as soon as possible and avoid them. Do not attempt to move or repair power lines!
- Do not drive through standing water if downed power lines are in the area. If a power line falls across your vehicle while driving, continue to drive away from the line. If the engine stalls, do not turn off the ignition. Stay in your car, unless it is on fire, and wait for emergency personnel. Do not allow anyone other than emergency personnel to approach the vehicle.
- If you evacuated and are returning home after the storm, make sure the main electrical switch to your home is off before entering the structure.
- If your water supply is restored, run cold water for several minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. If you notice any changes in your water supply, contact OUC.
- Do not trim trees around power lines. Call OUC regarding any trees or limbs near power lines.
- Obey curfews and don’t go out until authorities have declared the area safe.
- Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns or torches.
- Wear proper clothing, including shirts with long sleeves, long pants, and safety shoes or boots, when cleaning up after a storm.
- Familiarize yourself with proper safety procedures before operating a gas-powered or electric chainsaw.
- Wear safety glasses and/or a face shield and gloves when operating power equipment.
- Never use a chainsaw overhead or in the vicinity of power lines.
Explore Power-Related Topics
Storm events can cause damage that may prevent your power from being restored even though OUC has made all the necessary repairs to circuits in your area.

Check Circuit Breakers
Find the breaker panel in your home and turn off every breaker. Then, reset the main breaker, which may be located outside near your electric meter. Return to the breaker panel inside your home and turn each breaker back to the on position.

Check Your Weatherhead
If you are without power, your weatherhead or meter base may have been damaged. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to have a licensed electrician perform these repairs.

Be Safe Around Generators
Portable generators can produce high levels of carbon monoxide. If not used properly, they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock or fire.

Electrical Safety and Flooding
It’s important to remember that electricity and water are a dangerous combination. Avoid standing water as it could potentially be energized with electrical current from downed power lines and other electrical equipment.
Flooding & Power Restoration
Many customers are affected by deep-standing water following a storm. Because electricity and water together are extremely dangerous, we take extra precaution with our restoration efforts. Safety is our top concern, so we follow a restoration plan to ensure those customers affected by flooding are restored when it is safe to do so.

4-Step Restoration Plan
Once the flood water recedes from your home or business,
you MUST take the following steps before OUC can safely restore power:
- Contact your local government to schedule an inspection. The inspector will determine if repairs are needed in the home/business. City of Orlando: (407) 246-2271 | Orange County: (407) 836-5558
- If repairs are needed, we recommend you hire a licensed electrician to make repairs to your home or business and then contact your local government to complete the inspection process.
- When the final inspection is performed and the home/business is cleared for restoration, your local government will let OUC know.
- OUC will attempt to restore power within 24 to 48 hours of notification.
What process is OUC following for flooding?
OUC follows a process in coordination with local governments.
The first step of power restoration is damage assessment. OUC marks flooded areas with tags in the field and in our systems to define areas that require closer attention due to flood waters.
Additionally, OUC engineers investigate methods for restoring power to homes that are not flooded but are in neighborhoods where floodwaters hamper access and pose safety concerns.
Owners of homes/businesses that OUC suspects may be unsafe to restore have to follow the 4-step plan outlined to ensure safe power restoration.
What kind of repairs do I need?
A licensed electrician will need to answer this for you. It could be that you need repairs to the electric meter box, conduit or wires were underwater, bent or broken, or water rose above electrical outlets.
This is not a comprehensive list, and you should contact a licensed electrician for an assessment.
Never touch damaged equipment yourself. It is possible that no damage happened and repairs do not need to be made. If this is the case, the inspector will make that determination.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m flooded but still have power. Why?
While some customers may not be able to receive power to their homes because of storm damage, we cannot guarantee that a house in a flooded area is de-energized. Therefore, customers must proceed with caution and follow appropriate protocols to ensure their safety.
My home is not flooded, but I do not have power because of flooding around my home. Why?
That can happen because you are on the same line as the flooded homes. In order to ensure their safety, OUC had to turn off power to your home as well.
How long until my power is turned off for safety reasons?
Our team will disconnect power as soon as possible because it is a safety concern.
How OUC Restores Power
If a hurricane causes large-scale power outages, OUC immediately launches a restoration response plan to evaluate the damage, make repairs and restore power.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my neighbor have power and I don’t?
It can be frustrating, but there could be several reasons why others in your area have power while you do not.
- You may be on a different feeder or transformer.
- The service line to your home may have been damaged and need repairs before your home can be reconnected. OUC is responsible for repairing the service line and electric meter only.
- The weatherhead connection, where the electric lines meet the electric meter on your home, may have been damaged. The customer is responsible for having a licensed electrician repair the weatherhead and meter base and have a city or county inspection before we can restore power.
For help finding a licensed electrician, visit OUC’s Preferred Contractor Network.
What if my Lights Dim or Flicker During a Storm?
If your lights briefly dim or flicker during or immediately following stormy weather, don’t worry.
- These incidents are a normal occurrence as OUC’s electrical grid isolates damaged circuits to minimize larger outages. Often, these events involve power lines that have been impacted by high winds, flying debris or vegetation, such as falling trees or tree limbs.
- Dim or flickering lights do not indicate a weakness or fault in OUC’s system. You do not have to call OUC to report these incidents.
- If your service outage lasts more than 10 minutes, please contact OUC, as this indicates a sustained power outage.
Please be aware that OUC conducts ongoing, systematic tree trimming throughout the year in our entire electrical system to limit both momentary and extended outages. Wildlife protection is also installed at our overhead transformer locations.
What is OUC’s typical restoration process?
If a storm causes large-scale power outages, OUC immediately launches an established restoration response plan. To restore service in an orderly and safe fashion, OUC will:
- First, evaluate the damage to our electric system then start repairing our major infrastructure: power station, transmission lines and substations.
- Begin restoring power to critical facilities such as water treatment plants, hospitals, police stations, fire stations and other emergency locations.
- Repair main distribution lines that will restore power to the largest number of customers in the quickest manner possible.
- Finally, repair damage that often affects only a few individual customers at each location.
OUC restores power in a specific order to ensure the fastest and most efficient recovery. The restoration process follows this sequence:
- Power Stations, which generate electricity that is sent to substation through transmission lines.
- Transmission lines that supply electricity to large numbers of customers and large geographic areas. These lines deliver electricity from the power station to the substations.
- Substation equipment that adjusts the transmission line voltage to lower levels that are appropriate for our main distribution lines.
- Main distribution lines, also known as primary lines, deliver electricity to large subdivisions and commercial areas.
- Local distribution lines, installed either overhead or underground, deliver electricity to smaller neighborhoods and businesses. These secondary lines are also known as “tap” lines.
- Overhead or underground service lines that deliver electricity to individual homes or businesses.
Storm Safety Tips
Stay away from downed power lines and call OUC immediately at (407) 423-9018 to report a problem. Assume the downed line is energized and never touch or try to move it. If someone comes in contact with a downed line, don’t attempt a rescue. Wait until OUC and emergency personnel can respond.
Look up first and keep cranes, ladders, tree-pruners, TV antennas and other equipment at least 10 feet from power lines. Depending on voltage, electricity can arc to equipment that’s near a power line – even if it’s not touching the line.
Stay calm if your equipment or vehicle comes into contact with a power line. Assume the line is energized and stay in your vehicle unless you are in immediate danger from fire or a moving power line. If you are forced to leave your vehicle, jump as far away from it as you can, landing with both feet together. Be sure no part of your body touches the equipment and ground at the same time. Call 911 as soon as possible and don’t return to the vehicle until emergency personnel declare it safe.
Never climb utility poles or towers.
Avoid flying kites or model airplanes near power lines. If these objects become entangled in a line, they can become a conductor of electricity.
Never trim trees near power lines.
Learn More About Storm Safety
Find out additional ways to stay safe during a hurricane or severe storm.
View Storm Videos
Check out our storm video playlist on YouTube for safety tips, information on how OUC restores power and more.