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APS Is Ready for Winter Storms; Offers Ways Customers Can Prepare
Strong winter storms can disrupt power, take steps to be ready and stay safe
Arizonans can count on APS for reliable energy no matter the season, thanks to meticulous year-round preparation and dedicated crews who are ready to respond quickly and restore power.
APS prepares for winter by:
- Inspecting overhead power lines to identify and address needed repairs. Each year, crews maintain more than 38,000 miles of APS power lines, clear vegetation and use advanced technology like drones and robots to inspect equipment and detect issues before they cause problems.
- Stocking APS vehicles with appropriate supplies and readying personnel to deploy when additional help is needed to make repairs and restore service for customers.
- Working with the APS meteorologists who track and monitor weather conditions to help prepare for potential impacts to electrical equipment.
- Strategically positioning specialized equipment throughout northern Arizona so that crews can access critical infrastructure in areas where terrain can be challenging or unreachable by typical bucket trucks.
“APS is among the most reliable energy providers in the country and when our energy grid experiences high winds, ice, snow or whatever Mother Nature sends our way this winter, customers can take comfort in knowing if power outages do occur, our crews will be there to make repairs and get power back on as quickly and safely as possible,” said Tony Tewelis, APS Vice President of Transmission and Distribution. “The safety of our employees and the people we serve is our top priority. Just as we prepare ahead, APS encourages customers to take steps now to minimize the impact if power is disrupted.”
Even with rigorous preparation and planning, strong winter storms can pack a punch that can damage the electric system and possibly cause power outages.
How APS customers can be storm ready:
- Have flashlights and extra batteries nearby.
- Keep your phone fully charged during the storm and have a portable charger on-hand.
- Have important phone numbers such as those of medical providers, family and friends stored in your cell phone or listed by your home phone.
- Ensure your contact information with APS is up to date. Sign in to your aps.com account or call the APS Customer Care Center at (602) 371-7171 to update your email, text and phone numbers so APS can reach you with important information.
- Download the APS app or visit aps.com/outagecenter to track estimated restoration times and get safety tips. You can also report outages or electrical emergencies by calling the APS 24/7 Outage Hotline at 602-371-3680 (855-688-2437).
- If you use life-sustaining medical equipment that requires electricity, call to register for the APS Medical Care program at 602-371-7171 (800-253-9405). This alerts APS of your needs in the event of an outage.
- If you have an automatic garage door, learn how to open it manually in case you lose power and need to leave your home.
- Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows.
- Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.
- If the power goes out, keep freezers and refrigerators closed, dim brightness in cell phone settings to save battery life and wear layered clothing and use blankets to stay warm.
APS serves approximately 1.4 million homes and businesses in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties, and is a leader in delivering affordable, clean and reliable energy in the Southwest. The company is committed to serving customers with 100% clean power by 2050. As owner and operator of Palo Verde Generating Station, the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free electricity, and with one of the country’s most substantial renewable energy portfolios, APS’s current energy mix is 51% clean. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).
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