Dispatch officials: Don't call 911 to report power outages

OWENSBORO, KY (WFIE) - Owensboro-Daviess County Dispatch officials say it's common for dispatchers to receive more than 250 calls an hour during a storm.

If someone calls 911 to report an outage, it's not just going to slow emergency calls, but the message is going to take a lot longer to get to Kenergy.

Wednesday night, some Kenergy members called emergency dispatch in their counties to report power outages. Those types of calls takes up valuable 911 phone lines for actual life-threatening emergencies.

During a storm, dispatchers need to focus their attention on emergency calls that could pose a public danger like down trees, power lines, and flooding.

Kenergy says members need to report an outage by texting the word OUT to 85-700 or by calling their toll-free number 1-800-844-4832 where an outage will be immediately be reported.

Dispatch officials are asking people to plan ahead when severe weather is in the forecast. Stock up on extra things like oxygen tanks so you're not put in a stressful situation if you lose power.

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