The monsoon season can produce potentially dangerous storms and worrisome moments for Valley residents.

To minimize uncertainty during bad weather or power outages all SRP customers can now visit the SRP website at any time to check on the status of a power outage. During its pilot launch last summer, the website feature was available during storm activity only to customers with a MyAccount ID.

“With the newly expanded power outage map, SRP customers, Valley media and concerned residents can easily obtain outage facts by scrolling over yellow pushpins on the map that share information such as the affected area, number of people impacted, and expected time of repair,” said Glen Traasdahl, SRP’s director of Technology Services.

Valley resident also can access the power outage map from a smart phone or tablet, and get the same information regarding each outage area.

“In addition to being able to look at the power outage map 24/7, SRP customers can now be alerted via email or text when their home is in an area where an outage has occurred by signing up for a notification on My Account,” added Renee Castillo, senior director of customer services. To learn more, visit www.srpnet.com and search My Account.

SRP also would like to remind Valley residents of these summer safety tips:

  • Try to remain indoors during a storm.
  • If caught outdoors, stay at least 100 feet from any downed power line.
  • Never try to help someone trapped by a power line.  The line could be energized and endanger your own safety.  Instead, immediately call 911 for help.  Then call SRP’s emergency number, (602) 236-8811, to report the incident.
  • If a power line hits your car while you are in it, stay inside the car until professional help arrives.
  • If your vehicle catches fire and you must leave it, avoid making contact with the vehicle and the ground at the same time.  Jump from the vehicle, landing with both feet together.  Shuffle or hop away, keeping both feet in contact with each other until you are at least 100 feet from the vehicle.  This may avoid making your body a ground path between energized and grounded areas or objects.
  • Do not shower during a storm. Lightning can travel through pipes.
  • Do not swim during a storm. Lightning can strike bodies of water.
  • Lightning can travel through electric lines and damage electronic equipment.  Therefore, when practical, unplug the power cords to all electronic equipment to provide total protection from lightning-induced damage.

SRP routinely posts updates and outage information on Twitter and Facebook during major storms. To get connected, follow @SRPconnect on Twitter or “like” SRP’s Facebook page. During a power outage, SRP customer service representatives can be reached at (602) 236-8888.

SRP is the third-largest public power utility in the nation, serving nearly 945,000 electric customers in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.