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What to do if…
a power line has fallen onto your property and you are inside

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Stay inside and treat the wire as energized. Keep people and pets away from the part of the home closest to the line, and call 911 to report a downed power line.

Do not do these things

  • Do not go outside to inspect the wire, even if it is not sparking or making noise.
  • Do not touch the wire or anything outside that it may be touching, including a fence, tree, car, railing, gutter, puddle, or wet ground.
  • Do not try to move the wire or move anything touching it with a pole, broom, ladder, or other object.
  • Do not stand in an open doorway or go onto a porch to get a closer look.
  • Do not assume it is only a cable, phone, or internet wire. Treat any downed wire as energized.
  • Do not let children or pets outside.

What to do now

  1. Move everyone away from the affected side of the home. Keep people and pets inside. Use a room away from the line, especially if the wire is touching the home, roof, fence, tree, or a vehicle.
  2. Call 911. Say that a power line appears to be down on your property. Give your address, the nearest cross street if known, the visible location of the wire, and whether you can see sparking, arcing, smoke, fire, or anything touching the wire. Do not approach the wire to gather more details.
  3. Call your local electric utility’s emergency number after calling 911 if the number is readily available. Keep the report brief. Give the location and describe visible hazards from inside.
  4. Warn people who may arrive. From inside, message household members, visitors, delivery drivers, and nearby neighbors as relevant. Tell them not to approach your property or the wire.
  5. Stay inside until emergency responders or the electric utility say it is safe to leave. Do not go outside to measure the distance or take photos.
  6. If smoke or fire starts inside, call 911 again and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. If you must leave immediately because of a separate danger, use an exit away from the line only if the route does not approach the wire or anything touching it.
  7. If you are already outside or must leave because of another immediate threat, move as far away from the wire and anything touching it as you safely can. Aim to get at least 100 feet away when possible. Use small shuffling steps with your feet close together, and keep moving farther away from wet ground and any objects near the line.

What can wait

  • You do not need to identify the exact type of wire or decide whether it looks live.
  • You do not need photos, cleanup, or temporary repairs.
  • You do not need to make insurance or repair decisions until emergency responders or the electric utility say the area is safe.

Important reassurance

Staying inside and making the call is the useful action. A downed line can be dangerous without visible sparks or noise, so you do not need to investigate it yourself.

Scope note

These are first steps for the immediate situation while you are safely inside. Later decisions about access, repairs, or property damage may need help from the electric utility, emergency responders, your insurer, or another appropriate specialist.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, or other professional advice. If there is an immediate danger to life, smoke, or fire, call 911.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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