Downed power lines: What do you do?

The storm has passed, but unfortunately the danger hasn’t. Power lines, tree limbs and other debris litter the ground as far as you can see, from roads to personal property. Traffic lights, streetlights and your home are dark. Your phone is buzzing with outage alerts. In moments like the ones below, split-second decisions can make a difference between safety and tragedy when it comes to downed power lines.

You’re driving home after severe weather and see a power line lying across the road ahead.

What do you do?

A.) Carefully drive over it

B.) Get out and move it

C.) Turn around, stay away and report it

Correct Answer: C

The most dangerous thing about a downed line is that it doesn’t look dangerous. A downed power line should always be treated as energized, even if there are no sparks or sounds. Electricity can travel through the ground, nearby objects and even your vehicle. The best and safest decision is to stay far away, warn others and report the hazard to VEC immediately.

Your neighbor’s tree branch is tangled in a line after a storm.

What do you do?

A.) Wait until the neighbor notices

B.) Stay away and call VEC

C.) Use gloves or a wooden tool

Correct Answer: B

Tree limbs, fences and even puddles near downed power lines become energized. No household tool or glove makes it safe to approach, let alone touch.

A storm knocks a power line onto your vehicle while you’re inside.

What do you do?

A.) Stay inside the vehicle

B.) Jump out and run as fast as you safely can

C.) Touch the car and the ground at the same time

Correct Answer: A

Your vehicle might act as a protective barrier. Stay inside, call 911 or VEC and wait for trained crews unless the vehicle is on fire. If you must exit because of fire, jump clear without touching the vehicle and ground simultaneously and shuffle away with small steps, keeping both feet on the ground and close together.

When storms hit, most people don’t expect to encounter a downed power line. Knowing what to do before it happens could save a life — maybe even your own.