Yes. Customers can sign up for outage notifications here. Click "manage account", scroll to "contacts & notifications", and click "manage notifications". 

Through advanced technology on KUB's system, service outages are automatically reported. Confirm an outage using the KUB mobile app, checking KUB's Outage Center, or by calling 865-524-2911. If a customer sees a downed power line, do not approach it. Note the location, and call KUB.

To ensure restorations go quickly when KUB crews arrive, customers need to be aware of their responsibilities for repairs on customer-owned equipment. Many remaining jobs, for example, may involve trees that have damaged customer-owned lines or equipment. In those cases, customers may need to make repairs before KUB crews can restore power.

Customers are responsible for clearing any trees or limbs on the service line (the line from KUB’s pole to the customer’s building). Customers should contact KUB to lower the service line (at no charge) before having the work done.

Customers who have damage to their electric service equipment must contact a qualified electrician to make repairs before KUB can reconnect their electricity. That customer-owned equipment includes the service bracket, weatherhead, service cables, and meter socket.

After they remove trees or limbs and make any necessary repairs to their equipment, customers should call KUB at 865-524-2911 or log into their account to report their outage and start KUB repairs.

Turn off all appliances that were on at the time of the outage, especially heat pumps, air conditioners, and electric heating. This will prevent an overload on the system when the power comes back on. Leave a light on to know when service is back. Remember to turn the systems back on when the power is restored. 

Avoid opening refrigerators and freezers unnecessarily. If a customer must open them, plan ahead to grab what they need as quickly as possible. Keeping the doors closed will help keep the food colder, longer.  A refrigerator can keep its temperature for 4 hours, and a full freezer for 48 hours (24 hours for half full), if the doors are closed.

If the power will be out for more than 4 hours, customers can repack their food into smaller coolers with plenty of ice. Frozen food in a smaller, tightly packed space will stay colder, longer.

More information about food safety can be found here.

Customers may see a Damage Assessor (DA) before they see a crew. DAs patrol the system ahead of repair crews. They determine what materials and resources will be needed to make each repair. That helps crews restore power more quickly, because the material can be ready for them when they arrive. DA's trucks will be clearly marked, and they will often use flashing and/or hazard lights and spotlights. The trucks may proceed slowly and stop frequently to inspect damage and collect important information about downed utility lines, poles, transformers, and related equipment. Please proceed with caution when driving near Damage Assessor trucks. Customers may also see these trucks come to their area and leave because the the DA's have assessed the damage and relayed what will be necessary to repair the system back to KUB System Operations, which will then dispatch the appropriate crews and equipment.

Learn more about KUB's outage restoration process.

When damage causes an outage for a small number of customers - identified by a small, black dot on our outage map - it's common to see neighbors with power. This could happen because your neighbor may be on a different supply line, or there may be damage to only a section of a line supplying your immediate area. The cause of the outage may be isolated to one fuse, one transformer, or a group of transformers. 

Crews may park while they are waiting for their next work assignments, additional line crews to arrive, and additional information necessary to safely complete repairs.  Also, crews traveling in from other areas often assemble at designated staging areas and perform safety briefings before starting their assigned project.  Crews often use computers in their trucks to send status updates or information about storm damage to analysts and field personnel.

Outages related to weather are beyond KUB's control. KUB attempts to restore power as quickly and safely as possible and extensive damage may take several days to repair. KUB does not reimburse customers for food lost during a weather-related outage event. Customers should contact their homeowners insurance carrier to determine if their policy covers such losses.

KUB is concerned about the safety and well-being of all customers. It is important for all customers to have an emergency outage plan, especially those who must have electricity due to medical necessity. This is particularly important in the case of an extended outage, and should include arrangements to move to an alternate location, use a portable generator and/or installation of a battery backup.

KUB maintains a robust infrastructure maintenance and replacement program called Century II. Some Century II construction projects require power to be turned off to safely complete the work. In these cases, customers are notified of a planned power outage via direct mail. Customers may also enroll in outage notifications to be notified of planned outages here. Click "manage account", scroll to "contacts & notifications", and click "manage notifications". A map of planned construction projects can be found here.

Below are some ways you can prepare for an outage.

• Customers should keep KUB account information up-to-date, such as their phone number and e-mail address. A correct phone number will allow customers to use the automated system to report an outage and check its status. Customers can update contact information by logging into their account and choosing Manage Account. 
• Keep emergency supplies on hand such as batteries, flashlights, a battery-operated radio, nonperishable food items, bottled water, and a charged cell phone.
• Customers should purchase small coolers to keep on hand in case they need to repack food during a long outage. Customers should also know where to purchase dry ice or block ice. Keep frozen ice packs ready to help maintain appliances’ temperatures.
• Group foods together in the freezer, as this help the food stay colder, longer in the event of an outage.
• The Red Cross' Survival Kit guide suggests including a supply of necessary medications.
• Have a plan for what to do in the rare event of a multi-day power outage. This may include getting a hotel room, or staying with friends or family.
• Have and know how to safely operate a portable generator. Be sure to follow the instructions in the owners manual, as well as these tips:
  • Generators should be installed and inspected by licensed electricians. Improperly installed generators can be a safety hazard to utility workers as well as to homeowners.
  • Never connect the generator to a home's main wiring circuit. Disconnect the home from the power system before hooking up a generator. If the house is not disconnected, electricity may flow backward into the power lines, endangering customers and the lineworkers working to restore power.
  • Place the generator outside the home. Gasoline-powered generators can produce deadly carbon monoxide.
  • Plug appliances directly into the generator. Use extension cords if necessary, but do not exceed the recommended wattage noted on the generator.

You experienced a momentary outage caused by a temporary short circuit, or a fault. If a tree limb blows into an electric line, for example, it causes a fault. Other causes include lightning strikes, animals (like squirrels) in lines, or vehicles hitting utility poles.

These momentary outages can be annoying, but without the temporary interruption from the recloser, the fault could damage KUB’s electric system and lead to a longer outage and greater inconvenience.

This type of outage does not cause damage to electronic equipment. A recloser that initiates momentary outages is like a light switch: it just turns the power off and on. But some faults that trigger reclosers (like lightning strikes or vehicles hitting utility poles) may cause power surges that can damage your equipment. You might want to consider a surge protector to help safeguard your equipment.

Take these steps to minimize the impact from momentary power interruptions:

• Look for built-in protection from brief power interruptions when purchasing your next television, microwave oven, or other electronic device. 
• Use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with built-in batteries to power your computer during momentary outages.
• Save computer files frequently and regularly back files up to protect your work.

No. For your safety, do not approached downed power lines or other equipment for any reason. Also, trees leaning on power lines, utility poles, and related equipment can conduct electricity, and avoid contact. Trees and limbs on the ground may be in contact with energized power lines and may pose a threat as well. Just note the location of the downed lines and call KUB immediately at 865-524-2911 .

Yes. Below are guidelines for proper use of a portable generator. 

• Generators should be installed and inspected by licensed electricians. Improperly installed generators can be a safety hazard to utility workers as well as to homeowners.
• Never connect the generator to your home's main wiring circuit. Disconnect your home from the power system before hooking up a generator. If you don't, electricity may flow backward into the power lines, endangering you, your neighbors, and the linemen who are working to restore power.
• Locate the generator in a well ventilated area, preferably outside your home. Gasoline-powered generators can produce deadly carbon monoxide.
• Plug appliances directly into the generator.Use extension cords if necessary, but do not exceed the recommended wattage noted on the generator.

Everything from car accidents to squirrels can cause power outages. The leading cause, however, is trees—especially when storms blow trees or limbs into electric lines. That’s why KUB prunes trees to minimize outages and help provide safe, reliable service.

We also track outages in five major categories to help direct efforts to prevent outages. And, like other electric utilities, we look at how long customers are without power (Customer Minutes of Interruption, or CMI) to get a clearer picture of the overall impact of outages on customers.

Vegetation: This category accounts for almost 70% of the time when KUB customers were without power in 2021. Trees or other vegetation were the leading cause, followed by third party damage, then equipment failures.

When storms or high winds blow limbs into power lines, a breaker shuts off power to that circuit. The system tries to reset itself (see Momentary Power Outages), but if it can’t, a crew must remove the limb or tree and repair any damage to restore power. If trees are down, crews may have trouble even getting to the damage due to blocked roads.

Third Party Damage: In this category, vehicle accidents that damage poles or other equipment cause the most outages. Contractors or homeowners—especially those who forget to call 811 before digging—also contribute to outages when they damage lines during construction or excavation.

Equipment Failure: This category includes outages caused by transformer failure, broken insulators, bad underground cable, etc. When suspecting a power outage, good practice is for the customer to check their home equipment before calling KUB. Ongoing maintenance helps prevent equipment failure, but failure still causes a small number of outages.

Animals: Small animals like squirrels and birds may also cause a short circuit that knocks out power.

Lightning: Tall objects, like electric poles, attract lightning. Lightning strikes can damage equipment and cause outages.

Operational: KUB sometimes shuts off power for employee safety during work on lines or equipment, planned switching, etc.

Unknown: For a small percentage of outages, KUB cannot determine the cause.