LCEC reminds residents that overgrown trees and branches extending too close to power lines pose a serious risk during a high-wind storm.  By trimming trees, responsible residents are helping to prevent downed power lines and maintain a safe electric system.  As a guideline, there should be an 8- to 10-foot clearance on either side between tree branches and power lines, and there should be a 10-foot clearance between the top of trees and the primary power line. Any branches within this range near power lines should be pruned or removed. Some important tips to remember when trimming trees include:

·         Be sure to secure or properly dispose of any debris after trimming before a storm arrives in the area.

·         Do not remove or trim branches that are touching power lines.  Touching a tree that is in contact with a power line can lead to serious injuries or death. If a tree touching a power line is burning or sparking, please contact LCEC customer care immediately at 800-599-2356 or 656-2300.

·         When trimming or cutting trees, be sure they fall away from power lines.

·         Trim dead or weak branches from the trees around the home even if they are far away from power lines; strong winds could make these branches deadly projectiles.

The power line from the house to the pole is the homeowner’s responsibility. Residents may need to hire a licensed tree trimming company that is certified to work around power lines. LCEC utilizes professional trimmers, trained in safety practices to trim trees in utility easements or trees contacting power lines. They trim trees along power lines on a regular maintenance cycle, and will also respond to specific customer requests if trees in the area pose an immediate threat to safety or to the reliability of electric service. 

LCEC’s first goal after a storm is to restore power. Our priority is to find and fix damage as quickly and safely as possible, and crews may need to trim branches that fall onto power lines as well as debris that may be in the way. As crews continue to restore power, some debris may be left behind.

Residents can help prevent unnecessary damage to homes and neighborhoods and help clear the way for restoration crews:

• Remove any added materials attached or leaning on electric poles in the yard.  Not only could the materials themselves cause damage, but attaching or leaning any items not in the engineered plans for these poles could weaken their structural integrity.  Plus, in an emergency, a lineman may need easy access in order to climb the pole and make repairs.


• When a storm is eminent, bring in lawn furniture, garden tools, and satellite dishes or antennas.  Anchor objects that cannot be taken inside.

·         After a storm, make sure debris that can be safely moved is away from utility lines and poles.

For more information, call LCEC at 656-2300 or 1-800-599-2356 or visit www.lcec.net.