View outage information for Sioux Valley Energy's service area including Brookings, eastern Kingsbury, Lake, Moody and Minnehaha Counties in South Dakota along with Pipestone and Rock Counties in Minnesota.
Sioux Valley Energy's in-house dispatching service run 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Our dispatchers are standing by to answer your outage call or you can report the issue on the SmartHub app. Do not use social media to report outages.
Think safety when operating a generator
Follow these tips from Safe Electricity to properly operate your generator:
- Read and follow all manufacturer operating instructions to properly ground the generator. Be sure you understand them before hooking up the generator.
- Never operate a generator in a confined area, such as a garage. Generators can produce numerous gases, including toxic and deadly carbon monoxide. They require proper ventilation.
- Generators pose electrical risks especially when operated in wet conditions. Use a generator only when necessary when the weather creates wet or moist conditions. Protect the generator by operating it under an open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface where water cannot form puddles or drain under it. Always ensure that your hands are dry before touching the generator.
- When you refuel the generator, make sure the engine is cool to prevent a fire, should the tank overflow.
- There should be nothing plugged into the generator when you turn it on. This prevents a surge from damaging your generator and appliances.
- Be sure to keep children and pets away from the generator, which could burn them.
- Shut down the generator properly. Before shutting down a generator, turn off and unplug all appliances and equipment being powered by the generator.
- Remember maintenance between uses. It is also a good idea to inspect the fuel and oil filters, spark plug, oil level and fuel quality and to start the generator on a regular basis before an emergency situation occurs.
For more information on electrical safety, visit safeelectricity.org.
Steps to take before operating a generator
Power disruptions can occur from a variety of causes.
Common causes include:
- Weather
- Vehicles
- Curious critters
- Scheduled maintenance
Whatever the reason, Sioux Valley Energy crews are ready to respond and get your power back on as quickly and safely as possible.
Prepare a kit for power outages. It should include:
- Flashlights with fresh batteries.
- Wood for a properly ventilated fireplace.
- First aid kit, prescription medicines and baby supplies.
- Nonperishable food and a manual can opener.
- A fully charged cell phone and battery pack.
- Bottled drinking water.
- Battery-powered emergency lights and radio.
To prepare for emergencies, the CDC recommends:
- Keep appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer. The refrigerator should be at 40°F or below. The freezer should be at 0°F or below.
- Freeze containers of water and gel packs to help keep food at 40°F or below.
- Have a cooler and frozen gel packs ready in case you have to remove food from the refrigerator to keep it cold.
- Buy dry ice or block ice to keep food cold in the refrigerator if you think the power could be out for a long time.
To keep food safe during a power outage, the CDC suggests:
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
- If the doors stay closed, food will stay safe up to: 4 hours in a refrigerator, 48 hours in a full freezer, 24 hours in a half-full freezer.
- If the power has been out for 4 hours, and a cooler and ice are available, put refrigerated perishable foods in the cooler. To keep them at 40°F or below, add ice or a cold source like frozen gel packs.
