City of Blaine has new number for utility emergencies

The city of Blaine has switched to using a new emergency contact number for city government-related emergencies, including power outages, water leaks and sewer overflows. 

City staff announced the contact number, 866/605-5183, on March 4. The number is only for city customers. People experiencing life-threatening emergencies or reporting crimes still need to call 911.

The city of Blaine recommends residents save the emergency line in their contacts to reduce response times during emergencies.

Blaine residents can also visit the city’s website, bit.ly/3N5NAT8, and click “utility alerts” under the news flash section to be notified via text or email about utility interruptions.

“Prior to this, we literally had our line crew answering calls about why the power was out,” city manager Mike Harmon said during the March 11 city council meeting. “They would stop fixing the system, answer a call and then go back to fixing the system.”

City staff plan to advertise the emergency number through flyers, postcard mailers, social media and the public utility bill.