Clayton Residents Discover the Work Behind Restoring Power
It is a quiet evening at home, and suddenly the lights go out. The television flickers off, the oven stops heating, and the house falls into darkness. A power outage can be confusing and frustrating, leaving residents wondering what is happening and when the electricity will return.
During Public Power Week, October 5-11, the Town of Clayton celebrates the dedicated utility team that works around the clock to restore power safely and efficiently. This week highlights the vital role public power plays in the community and the people who keep the lights on.
When a power outage occurs, the Town’s Electric Department moves quickly to respond. From the moment staff are notified, crews begin coordinating their efforts to assess the situation and restore service as safely and efficiently as possible.
“We get notified in a few different ways,” said Electric Line Technician III Cavin Davis. “A lot of people still call our non-emergency number, or they enter it into our outage system online. We get notifications on our phone, email, and even text or calls, and then we head in that direction.”
Residents enrolled in the Town’s Clayton Outage and Messaging System (COMS) receive updates throughout an outage, including rough estimates for restoration. The system helps the Electric Department keep residents informed while crews work behind the scenes.
Administrative Support Specialist Toni Melton said, “Even if we cannot answer right away, it does not mean we are not out there working. We follow up on every single issue and take every concern seriously. By the time someone reaches us, they are often exasperated, so we try to make them feel heard and understand their situation.”
Once notifications are received and communication is established, technicians head into the field, prioritizing safety while assessing the situation. They carefully evaluate hazards and plan each step to restore service as efficiently as possible.
“We figure out the safest way to get to the scene and work to restore power to the most people in the quickest time possible,” said Electric Line Technician III Jacob Robinson.
Weather, underground wiring, and other variables can complicate the process, explained Robinson, but the Town’s team uses specialized tools, experience, and careful planning to locate and fix problems quickly.
The Town of Clayton’s Electric Department has been recognized for having the second fastest power restoration time in the state, a remarkable achievement for a team of about a dozen individuals serving nearly 10,000 customers.
“I think something that I would wish people would know is we want your power on too,” said Davis. “Everyone I work with cares deeply that residents get their power back as soon as possible. That is why we take pride in restoring power quickly and safely while keeping safety as our top priority.”
For residents with medical needs or other urgent concerns, the Town partners with Johnston County 911 dispatch to ensure technicians can respond promptly, even after hours.
Residents can learn more about COMS, update contact information, or report outages at the Town of Clayton’s Clayton Outage & Messaging System (COMS) page.
