Common Council

City of Madison Update on Downtown Power Outage

The City of Madison is working to keep our community safe during this power outage. Updates will be provided as soon as information is available.

Traffic Safety

There are a number of intersections running on generators, and we're working to identify which intersections are still in need. Right now, there are a number of intersections running on generators. Power is being restored in a number of areas so the situation is improving.

When an intersection is dark, not flashing, those intersections should be treated as a four-way stop.

Madison Metro buses are running on schedule.

Travelers are asked to avoid the downtown area until traffic lights are fully operational.

Immediate cooling

The City is keeping a critical eye on the extreme heat. All City-run libraries, including the Central Library, are open as cooling facilities and have power.

The Water Utility Water Wagon is downtown at the top of State Street from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. They will have water bottles and cup.

The Kohl Center is open as a cooling facility until 6:00 this evening.

Staff of local homeless shelters are coordinating their efforts to provide safe locations for their clients

Public Health has these reminders for anyone impacted by the power outage and heat. All information on the outage is available at cityofmadison.com/poweroutage.

Stay cool

• Stay in air-conditioned buildings. If you need a cool place to stay, public places such as local senior centers, libraries, and malls are good options.
• Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when it is the hottest part of the day, and avoid direct sunlight.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Never sit in a parked car or leave a child or pet in a parked car.

Stay hydrated

• Drink more than usual and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink.
• Drink from two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
• Avoid alcohol and liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
• Make sure your family and pets are drinking enough water.

Stay connected

• Check your local news for extreme heat warnings and safety tips.
• Regularly check on friends, loved-ones, and neighbors either face-to-face or via telephone.

If you start feeling overheated, weak, dizzy, nauseated, or have muscle cramps, you could be experiencing heat illness. Move to air conditioning, drink water, get under a fan, and put on cool washcloths. If your symptoms worsen or don't improve, go to the emergency room.