Co-op members with a current cell phone number on file will soon receive a text message opting them in to automatic outage text messages.
Flathead Electric Cooperative members have increasingly asked to receive automatic text messages when the power goes out at their home or business. As a result, Co-op members with a current cell phone number on file will soon receive a text message opting them in to automatic outage text messages. The message will come from the Co-op’s dedicated outage phone number: (406) 751-4449. This number will only be used to text members when an outage occurs on a meter or account associated with their cell phone number.
“It makes sense to reach out directly to members by text message when they’re impacted by power outages, which are inevitable when living in a heavily treed area like ours,” reflected Katie Pfennigs, Community Relations Manager for the Co-op. “Text messages are the best way to stay updated – people aren’t hanging out on their laptops during a power outage, they’re on their phones. Automatic text messaging makes it easy to keep up with what’s going on, so update your cell phone number now!”
To prepare for this change, Co-op staff urge members to confirm their cell phone numbers ASAP. Members can call the Co-op at (406) 751-4483 or can self-confirm via their online account or app. Detailed instructions on confirming, deleting, and updating cell phone numbers are available at flatheadelectric.com/textME.
Here are a few more things to know about this new service:
- You will receive automatic outage information updates via text as they’re available – you won’t have to visit the Co-op’s website or sign up for info when there’s an outage.
- All cell phone numbers that are on file with the Co-op in association with an account or meter will be opted in to outage text messages.
- You’ll want to confirm that your cell number is correct ASAP, because you might not be able to sign up for automatic outage text messaging in the middle of an outage, depending on what time of day it happens and how many members are impacted – make sure your contact information is up-to-date now!
- If you decide later that you want to opt out of automatic outage text messaging, you can do so by replying QUIT to any message at any time.
To learn more about automatic outage text messaging, please visit flatheadelectric.com/textME.
