Restoration Process

We wish we had a crystal ball! Each outage is different, and many factors affect restoration time. For small, one-location outages, MVEC’s average restoration time is about an hour. But when thousands of homes are affected, it takes longer because of outage complexity, available crews, and repair needs. You might be among the first restored—or the last—depending on where the problem occurred. Giving a precise estimate isn’t possible during widespread outages.

When storms hit after hours, our linemen respond from home or wherever they are—just like everyone else. They grab their trucks, assess the situation (often patrolling miles of line to find the issue), and may need to return for materials like poles or transformers. Sometimes the fix is simple, like resetting a fuse; other times, it involves replacing major equipment.

Cleanup of trees, branches, and other debris on private property is the responsibility of the property owner.

Unfortunately, no! Linemen say mosquitoes and deer flies can be worse up high. Despite bug spray and long sleeves, the pests are drawn to sweat and the safety lights worn on helmets.

Safety comes first.
Dangerous situations—like downed lines—are handled immediately.
Substations and main power lines are repaired next to restore the largest number of members.
Smaller lines and individual connections come last.
This ensures power is restored to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.

Report trees near lines. Trees and branches are the #1 cause of outages. If you have one close to an overhead line, contact MVEC.
Keep your contact info up to date. Having your correct phone numbers on file helps us quickly locate outage areas. Update your info using our online form.

Our crews work first to restore the “backbone” of the electric system—main power lines that serve the most members. Once those are energized, we move to smaller tap lines, then individual locations. So if a truck drives by, they may be working on a higher-priority section first.

Your homes may be served by different lines or transformers. Damage to the service wires that only feed your home could also be the cause.

Even with underground service, overhead lines deliver power from substations to your area. Outages can still occur due to problems with those lines or from issues like digging damage or animal interference.

Not always. That’s why it’s important to call and report outages. Your call helps us pinpoint the location and scope of the problem.

During large outages, call volume can be high. Our automated system helps avoid busy signals and provides updates such as:

° If a crew has been assigned
° Estimated restoration times
° Callback options when power is restored
This system works best when we have your current phone number.

We must first repair main lines before restoring power to individual locations. Members who rely on medical equipment should have backup plans, such as generators, extra supplies, or alternate locations, during extended outages.

You may have an issue with equipment that’s your responsibility. MVEC maintains power lines up to your connection point:
For underground service, that’s typically a transformer, pedestal, or meter socket.
For overhead lines, it’s usually the mast on your home.
If damage occurs beyond that point, contact an electrician.
Or, it could be your breaker. See instructions at left to troubleshoot and reset your electrical breaker.