What do I do if my power goes out?
If your service goes out, report the outage to us immediately. You can report your outage:
How can I keep myself and my family safe during an outage?
For tips on how to stay safe during a storm, visit our Outage Readiness and Safety page
What do I do if I see a downed wire?
Never approach a downed power line; always assume a power line is energized and extremely dangerous. Call us immediately at 1-800-334-7661 to report a downed wire.
When will my power come back on?
To receive an estimated time of restoration for your address, please visit Check My Outage Status, or use our mobile app. We also suggest confirming your contact information and enrolling in outage alerts at the My Notification Preferences page.
We work on restoring power to customers in the following order:
What do I do if my lights are dim or flickering?
ComEd's electrical system is designed to redirect power due to disturbances, such as when tree limbs make contact with power lines. To do this, the system quickly turns on and off, causing a flicker. Please give your power a few minutes to recover and then check your breakers. If you are still having an issue, report your dim or flickering status as a power outage.
My family member uses medical equipment that needs electricity. What should we do to prepare for outages?
We know some customers have special needs due to age, disability, serious illness, or medical equipment that uses electricity. Making repairs safely and efficiently can take time. It’s important to have a backup plan in case of an extended power outage. Learn more about our restoration process.
Why doesn't my location show up on the outage map?
Outages often affect more than one address, so map icons may not appear at your exact location. For an update on your address, please visit the check my outage status, or use our mobile app. We also suggest confirming your contact information and enrolling in outage alerts at the My Notification Preferences page to receive automatic updates.
How can I keep my food safe during an outage?
Visit our Outage Readiness and Safety page to learn more about keeping your food safe during an outage.
Why does my neighbor have power and I don’t?
Your neighbors may be on a different electric supply line. If damage to our system is limited to your section of the power grid, it's possible for some of your neighbors to still have power.
Why is the ComEd truck idle on my street?
There are several reasons why a ComEd truck or crew isn't actively working on equipment during an outage. ComEd has mandated rest times to ensure the safety of our crews and equipment. Crews could also be staged and ready to work once repairs in another area are complete. Additionally, they may need to wait for tree trimming crews or other support staff to arrive or finish their work.
How does ComEd prepare for outages?
ComEd has been supplying power to its customers for over 100 years. Please visit How ComEd prepares for outages to learn what we do behind the scenes, to supply power to our customers with as few interruptions as possible.
What is ComEd doing to prevent future outages?
You can help prevent outages by working and living safely around electrical equipment.
Will I be reimbursed for any damage or food loss?
In some cases, ComEd is able to provide reimbursement for food loss and other damages due to an outage. Learn more about filing a damage claim. Please be aware that we are not responsible for damage from factors beyond our control, such as storms. In such instances, you can contact your homeowner's insurance company to file a claim.
Why didn't you clean up tree debris after the storm?
Our first priority in response to any storm is to restore service to customers as quickly and as safely as possible. ComEd is responsible for cutting, trimming, or removing trees or branches that could affect our equipment.
Customers are responsible for disposing of tree debris due to damage from storms, ice, winds, or other natural causes on their property.
After a storm, ComEd crews need to focus on responding to power outage situations. If you need help with tree debris removal, visit TCIA.org to find local, accredited tree service companies. There is usually a cost for these companies' services. However, counties often support removal if the tree debris is in a public space or on a road.
