Stay Safe During An Outage

To report an outage, call Osage Valley at 1-800-889-6832.

While we do staff multiple phones lines 24 hours per day, when hundreds or perhaps thousands of members lose power all it once, it is impossible to avoid busy signals.  Please be patient and know that we are taking calls as rapidly as possible.  From the first call received, crews are being dispatched and begin working on restoring power to everyone. Dispatchers begin to monitor our metering system and are aware of all outages.   Your calls are important to us and many times our members can provide vital information regarding broken poles, downed power lines, or limbs on power lines.  So rest assured that even though you haven’t made it through the system yet because of the high volume of calls, crews are already working to restore the outages.

Every electric cooperative follows a basic principle when it comes to restoring power –  priority goes to the lines that will get the most people back in service the quickest.  This usually begins with main lines from the substations that can affect 200-600 members, and continues out to the tap lines which may affect 30-200 members, and then to individual service lines affecting just 1-5 members.  Those individual repairs come after all distribution and tap lines are restored.  

Be Prepared for Storms

If your lights go off during a storm, be prepared for the power outage. Assemble supplies to have on hand rather than rushing around when the storm is coming and waiting in long lines for milk or bread. Rotate your supplies to keep them fresh and use the following checklist to prepare for power outages:

Storm Checklist

Have Plenty of Food

  • Keep a 3- to 5-day supply of drinking water in plastic bottles. Plan on at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day.
  • Store a manual can opener with enough nonperishable foods for 3 to 5 days. Canned meats, tuna fish and peanut butter are good foods to store. Don’t forget pet foods!
  • Conserve water by using paper plates and plastic utensils.
  • Have a camp stove or grill for outdoor cooking.

Stay In Touch

  • Have a portable,battery-powered radio and alarm clock.
  • Have one non-portable phone that will work even if power is interrupted.
  • Plan where to meet and how to communicate with family members if separated.
    Keep essential family member contact information near your phone, in your wallet, and in your glove compartment.

Keep Things Going

  • Keep plenty of gas in your car.
  • Keep extra batteries, matches, propane, charcoal and firewood.

Stay Happy, Healthy and Warm

  • Coordinate with neighbors for care of the elderly and disabled living alone.
  • Maintain a supply of prescriptions, nonprescription drugs, vitamins and special dietary foods.
  • Playing cards, books, drawing and writing supplies, and board games help pass the time. If you have a video camera and tapes, your family can make a storm documentary.
  • Keep sanitary and personal hygiene supplies replenished. Premoistened cleansing towelettes are useful and help conserve water.
  • Use plastic trash bags and ties for garbage.
  • Put first-aid kits in your home and car.
  • Make sure you have cold weather clothing, foul weather gear, blankets and sleeping bags.
  • Consider purchasing alternative UL-approved heating devices. For example, a fireplace insert or woodstove will keep the heat in your home instead of up the chimney.
  • Use flashlights and other battery-operated lighting instead of candles.
  • Keep fire extinguishers fully charged.
  • Fill your bathtub with water for bathroom use before the storm (if you have a well).

Check to see current weather conditions.