Power outages can be caused by a variety of events -- electrical storms, high winds, broken tree limbs, vehicle accidents, or accumulations of ice -- to name a few.  If you are experiencing a loss of power, remain patient and attempt to determine if the outage is localized to your home or if it is affecting your neighbors as well.

Locate the Outage

Look to see if your neighbors' homes have lights on. If they do, it’s likely that a fuse in your home may have blown or a circuit breaker may have been tripped. If multiple homes in your neighborhood do not have lights, it’s likely the outage is affecting a large area of the community. See our Power Outage FAQ. See our Outage Map to see if other outages have been reported in your area.

• CPS Energy's Outage Map
  This web-based map provides outage information 24 hours a day. View our entire service area or zoom into your zip code. The map also may provide an estimate for restoration of power to your area. Updates are provided every 10 minutes. Refresh your browser periodically to ensure the most recent information. Technical problems may occur when the outage map is experiencing a high volume of users. Outage Map - Frequently Asked Questions
  
  
• Report an Outage 
  Call CPS Energy at (210) 353-HELP (353-4357) or toll-free (800) 870-1006 from rural areas. When prompted, give your account number or service address and a phone number. Learn How CPS Energy Restores Power to Our Customers

Be Patient and Practical Without Power

As you wait for your electricity to be restored, CPS Energy recommends the following tips:

• Locate a flashlight and, if necessary, an emergency kit. Use a battery-powered radio to listen for reports of major outages caused by storms or other events. You also can get information online at www.cpsenergy.com if you have a laptop, smart phone or other
  battery-powered, Internet-connected device. Also try our Twitter and Facebook sites for updates.
• Don't go near downed power lines! Treat all wires as if they are “live” (energized). Report damaged power lines to CPS Energy, 353-HELP, immediately.
• Keep at least one light in your home is turned on to help you realize when power has been restored.
• Turn off electronic devices such as televisions, stereos, computers, printers. When your power is restored, sudden surges and spikes may damage appliances and other electrical devices.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to maintain the cold temperature. The USDA says a refrigerator will keep food safely cold for up to four hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed). The USDA recommends discarding refrigerated, perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, and deli items if the power has been out for more than 4 hours. If the food in your freezer still contains ice crystals or is at 40 °F or below, the food is safe and may be safely refrozen. Never taste a food to determine its safety! Remember: When it doubt, throw it out.
• Limit phone usage. Depending on how widespread the outage is, phone lines and cell phone systems may become overloaded and limit emergency communications.
• Stay home, if possible. Limit driving because traffic signals also may be affected by power outages.
• Use caution with candles. Limit the number of candles you light. Don't light candles near combustible items such as curtains and furniture. Don't allow children to be near candles when they are lit.
• During heavy rain events, avoid travel. Flash floods are common in the San Antonio area. Learn about travel conditions. If you must travel, avoid low water crossings and other dangerous areas. Remember, Turn Around, Don't Drown.

In the future, remain prepared -- keep flashlights, batteries and a portable radio ready for such events. If your life or the life of a loved one depends on electricity, develop a personal emergency plan to use during power outages or other emergencies.  Consult your physician for guidelines.