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It’s now faster and easier than ever to report your power outage with WFEC’s outage texting service! Last year, WFEC added this new way to report outages. Members of all ages are getting used to relying on text messaging as an easy way to communicate. Using our outage texting service is actually much easier than calling to report your power outage.

“The outage texting service is the best!” said Paula Spivey, a WFEC member since 1986.

This easy and convenient way to report outages also provides peace of mind that your outage has been successfully communicated to our dispatchers. This manner of reporting also eliminates some of the overwhelming traffic our phone lines see during power outages. Our traditional outage reporting methods remain available. 96740001

If you haven’t used this method of outage reporting, we encourage you to give it a try to see if you like it. You can even receive updates about the status of your outage and be notified when your power is restored via text. Enrolling is easy, just follow these steps:

1. Text WFEC to (800) 342-7400. You may want to go ahead and save this number in your phone so that it is handy when you need to text in an outage.

2. After you text WFEC to (800) 342-7400, you will receive a welcome message with instructions about how to report any future outages.

3. Then, when you need to report an outage, just text OUT to (800) 342-7400.

4. Text STATUS for updates during the outage, HELP for more info or STOP to quit receiving all notifications.

5. Once your power has been restored, a text confirming power restoration will be sent to you.

Here are a few things you should note:

• Your phone plan’s standard data charges will apply.

• If your phone number is not recognized, the texting service will tell you to contact the cooperative by phone to report your outage using the outage management system. This means you need to update your phone number on the co-op’s billing system.

• If you text OUT to report an outage, but don’t respond to the questions the system asks, it will say your outage was not reported and ask you to respond to the questions or call the office.

• When you have multiple meters, and they are both off the same device, you’ll be asked if they are both out.

• To use the outage texting feature, members must have a mobile number associated with their account. Remember, it is best to make updates to your accounts before outages occur.

WFEC also added an outage reporting feature to its mobile apps for both Android and IPhone users. This allows members to report outages from our mobile apps as well as view the online outage map from the app.

The online outage map is a great tool available for you to monitor outages 24/7. You can find that on our website. The map displays information about where outages are located, how many members are being impacted, what county it is in and if a crew has been dispatched to that location.

Unfortunately, we can’t prevent all outage situations, but we can provide easier and more convenient ways for you to report the outages that do occur.