Power line down? 911 first.
Downed power lines are deadly. Assume every downed line is energized, stay at least 35 feet back, and let trained crews handle it.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
Downed power line response: (1) Stay back at least 35 feet — including any object touching the wire (car, fence, tree, water on the ground). (2) Call 911 immediately. (3) Call PG&E at 1-800-743-5002. (4) Keep others away — children, pets, neighbors. (5) Do not approach to take photos or video; do not touch anything contacting the wire; do not attempt to move the wire with any object. (6) If you're in a vehicle with a line on it, stay in the vehicle until rescue arrives. Wait for PG&E crews to de-energize and clear the scene before anyone approaches.
01Why downed lines are deadly.
Power distribution lines in Marin neighborhoods carry 4kV-12kV typically; transmission lines carry 60kV-500kV. These voltages don't require contact to kill — they can arc through air to a person who steps too close (step potential), conduct through wet ground for several feet (touch potential), and energize anything in contact with the line (cars, fences, trees, puddles). A wire that's not visibly arcing or sparking may still be fully energized.
Common deadly scenarios: pedestrian walks too close to a downed line during a storm cleanup (step potential); driver gets out of a car with a line on it (creates path to ground through the body); neighbor tries to move a wire with a broom or wooden stick (wood conducts when wet); pet or child wanders near a wire while parents are distracted. Every one of these has killed people in California. The 35-foot stay-back distance and waiting for trained crews is not overcaution — it's the only safe protocol.
02What happens when you call.
911 dispatches first responders
Fire, police, or sheriff (depending on jurisdiction) arrives to secure the scene — block off the area with vehicles and tape, prevent public access, direct traffic away. They coordinate with PG&E dispatch.
PG&E dispatches line crew
PG&E sends a crew to de-energize the affected line at the substation, switch, or transformer level. They confirm de-energization with ground equipment before any work proceeds. During major storm events, multiple downed-line calls are queued; response time scales with severity and public-safety urgency.
Crews clear and restore
Once de-energized: tree-trim crew removes any tree contacting the line, line crew repairs/replaces the line itself, PG&E reconnects power. Total time from initial call to restoration varies from hours to days depending on damage and storm load. Affected customers may have extended outages.
03What you do during the wait.
Don't approach: even after first responders arrive, stay back unless directed otherwise. Don't try to be helpful by moving things — let crews work. Don't speed up the process; everyone's safety depends on disciplined response. If a downed line is near your home and you're at home, stay inside, don't go outside until cleared, don't touch metal plumbing or appliances (extreme caution scenario if the line is contacting your house's service entrance or grounding system).
After restoration: customer-side damage assessment if any. If the downed line damaged your weatherhead, mast, or service entrance, electrician assessment scope (see weatherhead-storm-damage cluster). If the event included a surge that damaged appliances or electronics, document for insurance. PG&E does not generally compensate for appliance damage from storm events — that's homeowner's insurance scope. Discuss with your carrier.
Common questions.
What if a line is down near my driveway and I need to leave?
Don't drive over or near a downed line. If you absolutely must leave (medical emergency), call 911 and ask for guidance — they may dispatch crews to clear the route. If a line is across your driveway, you wait for it to be cleared. Plan for this scenario by keeping medications, baby supplies, and basics at home in normal stocks.
Can I take a picture of the downed line for insurance?
Only from a safe distance (35+ feet). Most insurance documentation can be done after the scene is cleared. Don't compromise safety to document — the line itself is not what your insurance is covering; the damage it caused to your property is, and that damage can be documented after the line is gone.
What if the line is down on my fence and animal contact area?
Get animals indoors if possible without approaching the wire. Call 911 and inform them animals are in the area. Some animals will instinctively approach an arcing line (cats curious about sound/light, dogs investigating new objects); keep them away. After-scene cleanup may include checking the area for any animal injury — vet visit if any animal showed contact with the wire or fence during the event.
Should I report a downed line if PG&E has surely already been told?
Yes. Multiple reports help PG&E confirm scope and prioritize. Calling does no harm; assuming someone else called could leave the scene unreported during a complex storm event with many simultaneous incidents. Default to calling. PG&E's system handles duplicate reports cleanly.
How do you handle pricing — flat fee or hourly?
Both, depending on scope. Routine service calls and predictable scope (panel replacement, EV charger install, transfer switch install, fixture replacement) are flat-fee quoted up front. Diagnostic visits and emergency scope are hourly because we don't know what we'll find. Either way, you get a written quote before work starts on anything significant, and we don't proceed beyond the quote without your sign-off.
How quickly can you schedule?
Depends on scope and season. Emergency dispatch: same-day across Marin County (1-3 hours business hours, 1-4 hours after-hours). Same-day standard service: 3-6 hours from call when capacity allows; otherwise next business day. Scheduled service work: 1-3 weeks typical. Larger projects requiring permits and PG&E coordination: 4-12 weeks depending on scope. We're upfront about timeline at the quote stage.
What warranty do you offer on work?
Our standard residential warranty: 2 years on labor, manufacturer warranty on parts (varies by product — typically 1-10 years). Major installs (panels, generators, EV chargers) often have longer manufacturer warranties (5-10 years). If there's an issue with our work in the warranty period, we come back and fix it at no cost. We also stand behind work past warranty — repeat customers and referrals matter more than a transactional fix.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. California State License Board C-10 Electrical Contractor #989290, in good standing. Carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by California law. Bondable on projects requiring it. Happy to provide proof of insurance to clients or property managers on request. License lookup: cslb.ca.gov.
Emergency response across Marin County.
Same-day dispatch for safety scenarios. Typical on-site time 1-3 hours weekday, 1-4 hours after-hours.