Power outages are typical in Idaho and can disrupt lives if you are unprepared. For that, you must have adequate information about outages. Otherwise, it can lead to inconvenience, safety risks, and difficulty managing your daily needs. This is where Idaho power outage maps come in handy. They provide real-time information on areas affected by outages, restoration times, and other updates. When dealing with outages, these maps can help you prepare better.
One of the best ways to deal with outages and avoid unexpected stress is to invest in a reliable and efficient solar-powered generator. The Jackery Solar Generator, for example, provides enough power to run most household appliances, such as lights, CPAP machines, heaters, etc., during long-term power outages or rolling blackouts.
Key Takeaways
- Idaho Power's outage map provides outage information for major cities like Boise and Nampa. Meanwhile, Avista is a primary utility provider in Coeur d’Alene, and its outage map provides detailed outage information for the area.
- Idaho Power, Avista, PacifiCorp, and Clearwater Power are the major utility providers in Idaho.
- Solar, standby, propane, and inverter generators are the power backup solutions to rely on during outages.
City-Wise Power Outage Map Access
With increasingly extreme weather events battering Idaho and other states, the aging energy infrastructure is progressively more strained. This has seen frequent power outages in major cities like Boise, Coeur d’Alene, and Nampa. If you’re from these cities, access the following power outage maps to make informed decisions during and after power outages.
Boise Power Outage Map- Idaho Power
The Idaho power outage map for the Boise region is easy to access. Visit Idaho Power’s official website and tap the Outage Map under the Outages & Safety option. Navigate the map to locate Boise and track the number of outages reported. Scroll the power outage map to see a list of outages reported, customers impacted, possible reasons, and restoration status.
Coeur d’Alene Power Outage Map- Avista
Avista Utilities primarily operates in northern Idaho, eastern Washington, and parts of southern and eastern Oregon. Like most utilities, the Avista power outage map is available on the official website. On the map, there’s an option to view outage information by location, county, and zip code. You can also scamper through the map to check for any reported outages in your area. Then, click on the respective color icons to display detailed outage information.
Nampa Power Outage Map- Idaho Power
Idaho Power is a primary utility provider in Nampa and nearby cities, so the Idaho Power outage map is your best bet for detailed outage information. You can search the Idaho power outage map by zip code and location or navigate through the map for that purpose. Then, click the colored icon to obtain information about the reported outage, including customers affected, probable cause, and status. It also includes an estimated restoration for each outage.
|
Provider |
Region Served |
Public Outage Map |
Report Power Outage |
SMS Alerts |
|
Idaho Power |
Southern Idaho and Eastern Oregon |
In the Treasure Valley: 208-388-2323 Outside the Treasure Valley: 1-800-488-6151 |
Tap the colored icon on the power outage map, followed by Receive Text alerts, and enter your number in the pop-up menu. You’ll receive progress updates on the respective outage. |
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|
Avista |
Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, and parts of Southern and Eastern Oregon |
Tap Menu on the top left corner, followed by Report Outage, and follow the prompts. |
Text REG to 284782 (Avista) to receive text alerts on your phone. |
|
|
Rocky Mountain |
Parts of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming |
Use the Report Outage button or text OUT to 759677. |
Sign in to the outage alerts and receive SMS alerts. You can also send STAT to check the status of the power outages. |
Top Utility Providers in Idaho by Region
Idaho Power is the utility provider with the highest coverage in Idaho, followed by Avista and PacifiCorp. Their coverage area is listed as follows:
- Idaho Power: Covers a 24,000-square-mile area, primarily in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon.
- Avista: Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, and Southern and Eastern Oregon. Major cities include Coeur d’Alene, Cottonwood, East Hope, and others.
- PacifiCorp: Through its Rocky Mountain division, it serves its preferred customers in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
- Clearwater Power: North Central Idaho, Eastern Washington, and Northeastern Oregon, covering an area of over 5,000 square miles.
How to Identify Your Electricity Provider Via Recent Bills
Your electricity provider's name is typically printed clearly at the top of the bill or in a section named “Supplier” or something similar. If you have an online account with your energy provider, you can also log in to view the information.
Types of Power Backup Alternatives Until Restoration
To prepare for power outages in Idaho, you can choose from different types of generators. These include solar-powered, standby, whole-house, and gas generators.
Solar Generators
It is one of the safest and best types of generators for home backup power. It can provide ample power to run most household appliances, provided it has access to abundant sunlight. Jackery Solar Generators stand out with their portable design and convenience. They are extremely quiet and don’t emit harmful gases like carbon monoxide.
Standby Generators
Also known as whole-home generators, these are installed outside the house. They connect to the house's electric panels and start automatically when the power goes out, so your electric appliances won’t stop functioning. However, their installation often costs more than the generator's, and they make noise when running.
Inverter Generator
Unlike standby generators, inverter generators are quieter and easier to carry around. This makes them a good choice for short-term power outages and blackouts. Besides, despite running on gasoline, they produce fewer emissions and are suitable for sensitive appliances like TVs, laptops, etc.
Propane Generators
Propane generators work by converting propane gas into usable electricity and can be a good option for combating a rolling blackout. The fuel is typically available and considerably safe, making it a popular home backup solution. However, propane costs more upfront and produces harmful gas during operation.
Jackery Solar Generators for Idaho Power Outages
Jackery is a global brand that offers solar-powered generators, foldable solar panels, and portable power stations. The Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels capture and convert solar energy into DC, which the Jackery Portable Power Station then converts into usable AC. It can act as an emergency power supply to help people survive long-term power outages in Idaho.
Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is a reliable and essential home backup solution that powers essential and heavy-duty appliances during extended blackouts in Idaho. Whether you want to run a Window AC, a full-size refrigerator, or power emergency medical devices like CPAP machines, the solar generator has your back. Its zero-emission design makes it safe for indoor use. Besides, its pull rod and double wheels offer easy maneuverability.
Appliances Working Hours:
- Electric Heater (2000W): 2.1H
- Central AC (2500W): 1.7H
- Full-Size Refrigerator (1500W): 2.8H
- Electric Clothes Dryer (3000W): 1.4H
- Circular Saw (2000W): 2.1H
Customer Review:
“Awesome backup unit. The wheels are pretty good. The controls are good, and the LCD screen is informative. Three hours of home theater use (roughly 130 watts/hour) consumes about 10-15% of the inverter's charge.’- Telkwa.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a reliable and essential home backup power system for people who want to run their appliances during brief power outages. It can keep your refrigerator running for a few hours to keep your food fresh and medicines safe. It can also run essential household appliances like routers, microwaves, lights, and phones. Besides, if you want more power for multiple appliances simultaneously, consider adding battery packs to expand capacity.
Appliances Working Hours:
- Space Heater (1000W): 1.7H
- Window AC (1200W): 1.4H
- Refrigerator (900W): 1.9H
- Cordless Drill (700W): 2.4H
- Induction Cooktop (800W): 2.1H
Customer Review:
“Bought the 2000 Plus portable power station. It arrived quickly & well packaged. Charged it up to 100% quickly, and a couple of weeks later, tested it by letting it run my full-size fridge. Ran it with no problem all day & half the night for about 16 hrs.”- Steve Dunn.
FAQs About Idaho Power Outages
How often does power go out in Boise?
In Boise, an average Idaho Power customer used to experience around 3 hours of outage annually. However, the numbers have increased exponentially over the past few months, with customers reporting multiple outages in their area.
How should I prepare for power outages in Idaho?
To prepare for a power outage in Idaho, assemble an outage kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, a battery backup solution, and a first-aid kit. You can also get clothes, baby food, and other essentials to maintain comfort even during lengthy outages.
How do I report a power outage for Idaho Power?
Idaho Power customers in the Treasure Valley can report an outage by calling 208-388-2323. If you live outside the area, you can call 1-800-488-6151.
How long can a fridge go without power?
A closed refrigerator can keep food fresh and safe for up to four hours without power. Meanwhile, a freezer can maintain its temperature for up to 24 hours if it contains items.
Conclusion
Idaho power outage maps can be a great resource for people affected by frequent power cuts. They can use the maps to identify areas with outages and restoration time and prepare accordingly. These maps also allow you to report any outages in your area. Jackery Solar Generators are ideal companions during power outages. They are reliable, clean, and essential home backup solutions that can power most appliances for long hours.
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