When winter storm hits Raleigh, here’s when to call 911 (and when not to)
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- Call 911 for immediate hazards or injuries; use 919-829-1911 for non-urgent reports.
- Report outages to the power company; call 911 for medical-device needs or downed lines.
- Expect elevated 911 response times; stay on the line and remain in vehicle if stranded.
As the area prepares for potential winter weather, including ice, Raleigh officials expect an increase in calls for help.
City officials stressed that people should always call 911 if they are unsure, but to consider if the call is better suited for the city’s non-emergency number, 919-829-1911,
“If you see something where you know it needs to be reported to law enforcement, you’ve got to ask yourself, is this something that can wait until tomorrow?” said Raleigh Police Lt. David Davis said. “If it can, then you can call the non-emergency number, and they’ll put it in the queue.”
For a hazard that needs to be reported immediately, people should call 911.
We asked Dominick Nutter, the Raleigh’s emergency communications director, about specific scenarios that might come up in during this winter storm and if they warrant a call to 911. Here’s what he said.
Do you call 911 if the power goes out? No. Call the power company.
“We can’t fix if the power is out at someone’s home,” Nutter said. “I would encourage them to call the power company. But if you’re not sure, we’re always a safe bet to call.”
People have called 911 to ask if power is back on in a particular neighborhood, Nutter said, but the city wouldn’t necessarily have that information.
However, if the power goes out, and you have a medical device that needs electricity, you should call 911. And the sooner the better, he said.
“That way we can get assistance out to you before it becomes an emergency,” he said.
If the power is out, and you can’t reach a family member, you can call 911 for a wellness check. If you live out of state and can’t reach a loved one, you can call the city’s nonemergency number, 919-829-1911, because calling 911 would connect you with your own location’s 911 system.
And if you see a power line or pole that’s down, you should call 911. Always assume a power line that’s down is dangerous and could hurt or kill you.
Should you call 911 if a tree hits your house? It depends. If the tree broke through the roof or you’re unsure if it broke through the roof, you should call 911. But if it’s a small tree or branch leaning on the house, you don’t need to call 911, Nutter said.
Always call 911 if someone is seriously injured or you’re unsure if someone is injured, he said, including if a tree falls on a neighbor’s home.
What about vehicles that maybe slipped off the road or had a minor wreck? Yes, call 911.
There’s a public safety risk with vehicles forced off the road due to winter weather, Davis said.
“We are a vast community, with many demographics, with age, if someone pulled off on the side of the road we want to make sure that there’s not an actual driver still in the vehicle in distress,” he said.
And if you find yourself in a situation where you’ve hit a slick patch and run off the road, you should stay inside your vehicle, he said.
“You’re at risk of getting hit by a vehicle because somebody else might be coming through that same exact slippery area and could inadvertently hit you,” he said. ‘So stay in your vehicle, call 911 and explain to them what the situation is.”
The bottom line? Call if you’re unsure.
While the city is bringing in additional staff members to answer 911 calls, it may take longer to answer a call.
“We’re always there, 24/7,” Nutter said. “ We’re there to support and be there as a resource. And if they call and everyone is busy, what I want them to do is not hang up. I want them to stay on the line until we get to them.”
The state has a plan to help local 911 centers by routing calls to unaffected areas , said Will Ray, the state’s director of emergency management, said during a state briefing Friday.
However, people should know it may take longer for first responders to arrive.
“With the roads being potentially iced over, understand that if you have to call 911 there will be an increased response time, an elevated response time,” said Raleigh Fire Chief Herbert Griffin. “We have to make sure that our crews get to you safely. We are taking precautionary measures as we respond to those calls.”
Reporter Kyle Ingram contributed to this report.
