Follow these tips to stay safe when power is being restored after a storm

Once a storm passes, the top priority for most people is the restoration of power.

GPA crews will be working 16-hour shifts daily to clear lines and restore power after a storm, and it's a dangerous job.

The first priority is to get power plants up and running, and then fix transmission lines that carry power to substations, according to information from Guam Power Authority. When the electricity reaches a substation, the voltage is lowered so it can be sent to smaller transformers on poles or concrete pad mounts for servicing homes or other buildings via the distribution system, GPA stated. Any damage to substations has to be repaired.

Main power lines from substations will be cleared and repaired first, which will restore power to the maximum possible number of customers able to receive power. Following that, repair crews will go village by village street-by-street and home-by-home to restore individual service to all customers able to receive power.

Homeowners are responsible for maintaining the weatherhead, the lines from the weatherhead to the meter box, and any other items to the service panel. GPA maintains the meter.

Do not make attempts to have line crews respond to individual requests, as it will only delay the overall restoration process.

What you should do to after the storm

After a storm passes, customers should replace any blown fuses or reset any tripped breakers in their homes. If the line connecting the house to the distribution pole is damaged, call to report it to GPA Trouble Dispatch at 475-1472/3/4
GPA’s Trouble Dispatch phone system and GPA’s Facebook page are the fastest, easiest way to report an outage.
It’s not necessary to talk with a GPA representative.

Check your electric facilities at home

As GPA crews make repairs to the islandwide power system, it is important that customers make sure the electric facilities at their homes or businesses are intact.
GPA cannot restore electricity wherever electric meter boxes or service entrance pipes on the side of a home or business are damaged.
Customers are responsible for contacting a licensed electrician to have those repairs made, and obtain an inspection and clearance from the Department of Public Works, and then call GPA to have power restored.

Be careful - power lines are dangerous

It’s important for all residents and customers in a storm-damaged area to be keenly aware of potentially dangerous situations from downed power lines, according to GPA.
Energized or ‘live’ power lines can also be hidden, or may be making contact with fallen trees or fences.
Even though the electricity to your home may still be off, treat every wire as if it were energized and potentially dangerous. Customers should also avoid piling any debris or trash on or around electric facilities, including pad mount transformers, poles or loose wires.

Use portable generators correctly

During extended outages, some customers may use portable generators at their homes or businesses. It’s very important to use all generators correctly, according to GPA.

Do not use an extension cord to plug a generator into a household outlet. This can cause serious injury to you and/or restoration crews. Instead, only connect appliances directly to the generator.