Will someone actually come out at 2am in Beaverton?expand_more
Some electricians in the network run true overnight rotations and others start at 7am with a same-day emergency slot. Submitting the request overnight puts you in front of whoever is on call, and you'll hear back with a realistic window rather than a maybe.
The power is out on my whole street — do I need an electrician?expand_more
Probably not. If your neighbors are dark too, it's a utility outage and an electrician can't restore it. Call an electrician when your house alone is out, when only part of the house is out, or when the damage is clearly at your mast or meter.
Should I shut off the main breaker before help arrives?expand_more
If you smell burning, see smoke, or the panel is hot to the touch, leave the house and call 911 first. For sparking or arcing at a single outlet or fixture, turning off that circuit at the panel is the safe move — don't open the panel cover yourself.
Does homeowners insurance cover storm damage to my service mast?expand_more
Often yes, when a falling limb or wind caused it, though your deductible may exceed the repair. Photograph the damage before anything is touched and get the electrician's invoice itemized so the claim goes through cleanly.