Palisades Neighborhood Association

Power Outages: Steps to Stay Safe and Informed

Published December 4, 2025

Be prepared for power outages—and remember, flashlights are safer than candles.

How to Report an Outage

Phone:
Call 503-464-7777 (or 800-544-1795) to report a power outage or downed line through PGE’s automated system. You may request a call-back when power is restored.
Please call only once so others can get through.

Online:
Visit PGE’s outage page to report an outage, get updates, or view the current outage map by ZIP code — > click link here

Mobile App:
Use the PGE Mobile App to report an outage and view information.

When speaking to a representative, it is helpful if you can share details such as:

  • Are your lights dim or completely out?
  • Have you checked your fuse box or breaker?
  • Are your neighbors also without power?
  • Is a power line down or damaged?
  • Did a tree limb fall on a line?
  • Are the streetlights out?
  • Did you hear a loud sound when the power went out?

What to Do During an Outage

Take steps to protect your home and prevent power surges when electricity returns:

  • Turn on one outside and one inside light so you and crews know when power is restored.
  • Turn off major appliances at the breaker and unplug sensitive electronics (TVs, computers, etc.).
  • If using a generator, follow all safety guidelines.
  • Call PGE if your power does not return when neighbors’ power does.
  • If lights are extremely dim or overly bright after restoration, call PGE and turn off your breaker.

Keeping Food Safe

  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
  • Use ice or move food to a cooler if necessary.
  • If outdoor temperatures stay below 40°, food may be stored outside in a secure cooler—monitor temperatures carefully.
  • Refer to FoodSafety.gov for additional guidance.

Important Safety Reminders

  • Carbon monoxide is deadly. Never operate a generator or charcoal grill indoors, in garages, or in carports.
  • Know how to use the manual release on your garage door.
  • Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors if it is safe to do so.

Warming Shelters

During extreme cold, visit 211info.org for warming shelter locations by county.

Downed Power Lines – Stay Back

Call PGE immediately at 503-464-7777 (Portland) or 800-544-1795 to report a fallen utility line.

  • Stay at least 50 feet away.
  • A line does not need to spark to be dangerous.
  • Do not touch nearby objects.
  • If someone is in contact with electricity—do not approach.
  • If a line falls on your vehicle, stay inside until help arrives.

More Safety Resources

PGE offers additional information, including:

  • What to do if you see a downed line
  • Choosing a qualified electrical contractor
  • Food safety and cooking tips during outages
  • Guidelines for life-support patients
  • Surge protection for electronics
  • Backup power options for homes and businesses

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

VOLUNTEER OR DONATE

Donate
Volunteer
PNA Community
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP) Project Coordinator

Primary Role:

  • Handles NEP grant applications, grant approvals, reviews receipts for reimbursement and is the single point of contact between the entire Palisades Neighborhood Association (PNA) and the City.
  • To be successfull in this role you should be organized, communicative.
  • Time commitment: From 8-12 hrs. throughout the year

Process:

  • Accepting NEP proposals: Anyone living in the Palisades Neighborhood Association can submit proposal(s) to the NEP Coordinator along with estimated costs throughout the year. They should follow the application guidelines and answer the questions related to their proposal.
  • PNA Board will Vote on Which Items To Include in our NEP Proposal: During the month of March PNA board meeting the NEP Coordinator asks the board to vote on the proposed item(s). NEP Coordinator encourages person(s) proposing the item(s) to attend the meeting to answer questions that might come up. The PNA board then votes on which items should be included in the NEP grant proposal.
  • Developing and Submitting the NEP Grant Proposalt: During the NEP grant proposal period (usually the month of May) the NEP Project Coordinator:
    • Fills out the NEP grant proposal application based on items approved by the PNA Board;
    • Gets sign offs from the PNA Chair
    • Submits the proposal form to the city in early May for the initial review process
    • Provides additional information requested by the city
    • Revises and submits the final application to the City by the deadline (typically May 31).

What Happens Next:

  • Iris McCaleb from the City forwards the NEP grant proposals to the grant review committee and then to the City Council who review it and awards certain grants.The NEP Coordinator will receive a letter of award from the City and will share it with the PNA Leadership Team.
  • As items are purchased from the approved grant list, the project close-out form is filled out by the person requesting reimbursement. They will attach digital copies of receipts and photos and then submit all to both the NEP Project Coordinator and the PNA Chair. The NEP Project Coordinator submits the reimbursement request to Iris at the City for reimbursement.
  • Reimbursement checks are then sent directly to the person who purchased the item(s).