U.S. Power Outage Map and Status

U.S. Power Outage Map

Open {site} to view the U.S. power outage map. This nationwide view combines outage information for many electric utilities, but it is not a single national utility account or a direct control system for the power grid.

Start with the map totals, then zoom in on the affected part of the country. A national total provides a broad snapshot. State, county, or utility totals are more useful when checking a specific home, workplace, or travel destination.

Map designs vary, but markers and shaded areas usually represent geographic regions or utility service territories. Colors commonly show the relative size or concentration of reported outages. A darker or more urgent-looking color generally means a larger outage total, not a specific cause or level of danger. Check the map legend before interpreting any color.

A marker may open a summary when selected. Look for the area name, reporting utility, customers affected, customers tracked, and the time of the latest update. Some totals are estimates or rounded figures. The displayed count can change as utilities receive new reports, restore service, or correct duplicate reports.

The map may not update instantly. Treat it as a status reference, not a guarantee that every address is currently shown.

Find Outages in Your Area

Use the available search box, map controls, or location list to narrow the results. Depending on the map, you may be able to search by state, county, city, ZIP code, or electric utility provider.

1. Enter the most specific location available, such as a ZIP code or county.
2. Select the matching result rather than relying only on the map’s automatic location.
3. Zoom in and check nearby boundaries. A city can be served by more than one utility.
4. Open the relevant marker or utility entry to see its reported totals and update time.

If a city or ZIP code search is unavailable, select the state first and then choose a county or utility. Rural addresses may be listed under a county, cooperative, or utility service area rather than the nearest town.

Confirm that the utility name matches the company shown on the property’s electric bill or service notice. The company that supplies electricity may differ from a landlord, building manager, municipal contact, or energy supplier.

Check Outage Status and Updates

Open the details for the affected area and look for four items: the latest reported status, the number of customers affected, the update time, and any estimated restoration information.

The affected-customer count refers to electric service accounts, not necessarily individual people. One account may represent a household, apartment building, or business. A rising count can mean the outage is spreading, but it can also reflect delayed reports reaching the system.

Check the timestamp before acting on the information. A status such as reported, assigned, under investigation, crew dispatched, or restoration in progress describes the utility’s current handling stage. The exact labels differ among utilities.

An estimated restoration time is an estimate, not a promise. It may be revised or removed as crews inspect equipment and conditions change. If no estimate appears, that does not mean the outage has been ignored. The utility may still be assessing the problem.

For address-level details, use the local utility’s official outage tool. A nationwide map may show regional totals without displaying the status of a particular account or street.

Report a Power Outage

Do not assume that viewing a marker reports your outage. Unless the map clearly confirms a submitted report, notify the electric utility that serves the affected address.

1. Check an electric bill, service notice, meter label, or property information to identify the local utility.
2. Use the utility’s official outage-reporting page, mobile app, text service, or automated reporting channel.
3. Have the service address, account holder name, and any requested account identifier ready.
4. Describe only what you can observe. Do not guess at the cause.
5. Save any confirmation message or reference number.

If you rent or live in a managed building, the property manager may know whether the problem affects building equipment. Still contact the electric utility when its instructions ask individual customers to report outages.

If the Map Does Not Show Your Outage

A new outage can take time to appear. Reports may still be arriving, the utility’s data feed may be delayed, or the map may update in batches. A small outage affecting one property or a few customers may also be grouped into a larger area or omitted from a nationwide summary.

First, check whether nearby homes, streetlights, or common areas have power. Then inspect the breaker panel only if it is safe and dry. A tripped main breaker or a building-level electrical problem may not appear on a utility map.

Next, check the local utility’s official outage tool and public status notices. These are the best sources for address-level reporting and restoration updates. If the utility does not show the outage, submit a report through its official channel.

Do not repeatedly reset breakers, approach damaged equipment, or enter a flooded electrical area. Contact the property manager or a qualified electrician when the issue appears limited to the building and the utility confirms that service is available.

Power Outage Safety

• Stay far away from downed or sagging power lines. Treat every line as energized, and keep other people and pets away.
• Do not touch a person, vehicle, tree, fence, or object that is in contact with a fallen line. Report the hazard to the utility and emergency services.
• Keep generators outdoors and well away from doors, windows, and vents. Never operate one in a home, garage, or enclosed space.
• Avoid wet electrical equipment, flooded rooms, exposed wiring, sparks, smoke, or burning smells. Leave the area if there is immediate danger.
• If someone depends on powered medical equipment, follow the equipment provider’s backup plan and move to a safe powered location if needed.
• Contact emergency services immediately for fire, electric shock, a life-threatening medical situation, or another immediate danger.