Our #1 goal is to safely restore power to the greatest number of members in the shortest time possible. To accomplish that, prioritization looks like this:
Transmission lines receive first priority. This is because they supply power to substations, which distribute power to thousands of members.
Substations are next.
Then, transformers and distribution lines.
Watch a 3-minute the video on outage restoration prioritization here:
Removing a branch from a power line is usually relatively simple and quick.
Replacing a broken power pole or digging up buried cable to find and repair a fault is a much longer process.
Outages can last from minutes to hours or even days, depending on the severity of a storm or the damage to the system.
Your location also affects the time it takes to restore power. If you live in a rural area, it might take Co-op crews an hour or more just to arrive on location (especially if they need to leave their home in the middle of the night).
In a perfect world (and with constant cooperation from Mother Nature), Flathead Electric Cooperative could provide power 24/7 without interruption. In reality, we come pretty close. Your Co-op typically has an “up time” of over 99% -- staff is proud to provide reliable power to our members despite the trees and storms that sometimes thwart our best efforts.
The cause of the outage might be in your home and not on the Co-op's side of the meter. Please check your fuses and breakers before you report a power outage.
If the outage is on the Co-op's side of the meter, keep in mind that homes in a neighborhood may be fed by different service lines
The “service drop” power line that brings electricity directly to your home might be impacted, which would leave your neighbor’s home unaffected.
