Understanding Spring & Summer Outages
It’s a beautiful, sunny day, clear skies, no storms in sight. So when the power suddenly goes out, it can feel confusing. At PenLight, we often hear, “How can there be an outage when the weather is perfect?”
While winter storms commonly cause outages, spring and summer bring their own challenges - many unrelated to weather.
Tree Growth & Falling Branches
Warmer months bring rapid tree growth. Even without wind, limbs can droop or break onto power lines, especially after rain or in areas with mature trees.
Member & Contractor Activities
Spring and summer are prime seasons for outdoor projects. Outages are sometimes caused by well-meaning members or hired contractors performing tree work near power lines. Other dangerous practices that can bring outages include:
- Digging for fences, sprinklers or landscaping without calling 811.
- Pressure washing or painting near electrical equipment.
- Using heavy machinery near poles or padmount transformers.
Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents involving utility poles or underground equipment are a leading cause of outages year-round, regardless of weather. 49336
Curious Critters
Squirrels, birds, and other animals are more active in warmer months and sometimes explore energized equipment, causing short circuits, damaged gear, and unexpected outages.
What You Can Do
- Call 811 at least 48 hours before digging.
- Keep trees and shrubs trimmed or consult a professional.
- Avoid placing anything near padmount transformers.
- Use caution with tools and equipment near electrical lines or boxes.
- Report outages by calling (877) 853-1388.
Even on calm, sunny days, PenLight crews work behind the scenes and in the field to keep your power reliable and safe.