Your safety is very important to MGE.

Call MGE's emergency line to report a gas odor or electric outage.

• Gas - Madison area calls: 252-1111
• Electric - Madison area calls: 252-7111
• Long distance calls: 1-800-245-1123

Electrical Disturbances
Electric systems are subject to many disturbances which cause momentary or extended power outages.

Outage causes include:

• Natural events – storms, animals touching wires or tree branches brushing power lines.
• Vehicle accidents that involve electric equipment.
• Contractors accidentally digging into lines.
• Equipment malfunctions or failure.

Plan ahead for electrical emergencies. Consider:

• Emergency lighting system.
• Emergency fire pump.
• Emergency power system.
• Equipment or system shutdown priorities.

If your lights go out
See if your neighboring businesses have power:

• If they do, check your fuses or circuit breakers.
• If not, look out your windows for anything unusual like fallen wires or tree limbs on a line. Stay away from any downed wires.
• Call the MGE ALERT line to report the situation at your business.
• Unplug sensitive electronic equipment and turn off light switches to help prevent overloads when power is restored.
• Keep any refrigerator or freezer doors closed.
• Use a battery-operated radio for news updates.
• If your power remains out after your neighboring businesses have lights, call MGE.

If you smell gas in your building

In your building

If you smell a strong, persistent gas odor, immediately:

• Put out all open flames.
• Don't smoke or light any matches.
• Don't touch any electrical light or appliance switches.
• Don't use your phone; it may cause a spark.
• Leave the building and call MGE from a neighboring business, away from the gas odor. As you leave, open doors and windows, but only if you can do so quickly and easily.
• Stay away from your building until you've been told that it is safe to return.

Outdoors

If you smell natural gas outdoors, call us immediately. If there's a major leak, such as one caused by excavators or a vehicle damaging a gas line:

• Call MGE immediately.
• Notify the police and fire departments.
• Warn others to stay away from the area of the apparent leak.