When A Power Line Is Down

If You See a Fallen Power Line
Never touch a fallen power line. Never touch anything or anyone in contact with a power line. You could be shocked by contact with the line or a secondary object or person.

Reporting a Fallen Power Line

Reporting Information:
	Call Austin Energy at (512) 494-9400 and report the location of the line.
	Call 911 if someone is in a vehicle that is touching a line. Do not approach or make contact with the person or vehicle. Wait for emergency personnel.

When a Vehicle Comes in Contact with a Power Line

If you are inside a vehicle:
	Stay inside the vehicle and warn others to keep away.
	Wait inside the vehicle until rescue personnel arrive.
	Do not make contact with metal parts in the vehicle.
If you have to get out of the vehicle because of a fire or other danger:
	Jump out so that you do not touch the vehicle and ground at the same time.
	Don’t run. Hop away keeping your feet together. Separating your feet can create two contact points with the ground and can result in a shock if the ground is energized by a fallen wire.

About Fallen Power Lines
When a live wire touches the ground, electricity fans out in a pool, similar to when a pebble hits water, with the voltage decreasing as it travels from the center. You can be shocked when in this area. Other factors play a role in the severity of the situation, such as wet conditions and the voltage of the wire.