65K Xcel customers without power as winds damage power lines

AMARILLO, TX (NEWS RELEASE) - Intense winds have caused significant damage to power lines in Texas and New Mexico, with about 65,000 Xcel Energy customers without power as of 2:30 p.m. The number of customers affected by outages is expected to fluctuate as this weather event continues.

High winds and critical wildfire risks are expected to continue through the day. Crews are positioned in the area, ready to restore power once the winds subside and it’s safe to do so. With significant damage to power lines, it may take several days to restore power to all customers. Hundreds of Xcel Energy employees and contractors are on site today, including crew members from Colorado.

With today’s exceptionally high winds and dry conditions, Xcel Energy temporarily shut off power this morning for about 17,000 customers in eastern New Mexico, the Texas Panhandle and South Plains region as a public safety measure to reduce the risk of wildfires.

Once winds have subsided, crews must patrol and inspect the full length of our power lines and repair any damage to make sure it’s safe to turn power back on. With 2,500 miles of line de-energized as part of this PSPS, and significant damage from the storm, crews will be working through the weekend to complete inspections and restore power.

Customers can stay updated on the status of their outage on our outage map, which will be updated with estimated restoration times when they’re available. We understand outages are challenging, and we appreciate your patience as crews continue to work to restore power to areas affected by this significant windstorm.

Weather-related outages have far outpaced the number of outages as part of the PSPS event. Outages that have occurred outside of the identified areas on the PSPS map are likely due to storm damage.

Important tools for Xcel Energy customers

The status of current outages is tracked on the electric service outage map.

Customers can visit our PSPS Event website for updated information.

The website includes a PSPS map that customers can use to look up their address to find out whether their outage is related to a PSPS.

Report an outage

Customers can help Xcel Energy get a jump on power restoration by reporting outages. Customers have several ways to report outages:

Through the Xcel Energy mobile app, available in the Apple App Store and through Google Play.

Online at xcelenergy.com/outage.

Via text by texting OUT to 98936 to report an outage, or text STAT to the same number to check the status of a power outage

By calling 1-800-895-1999 and following the prompts—the automated phone reporting system lets customers report outages in less than 60 seconds.

More on Public Safety Power Shutoffs and Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings

A PSPS is a measure where power is shut off to a targeted area for a limited time period, used only when the fire risk is exceptionally high. Due to the elevated risk of wildfire, Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) are also active across our Texas and New Mexico service territory. EPSS allows for power lines to remain in service during periods of elevated wildfire risk, with additional protection settings enabled.

When EPSS are activated, power lines can stop the flow of energy if an issue is detected, like a tree branch or other object touching the line.

EPSS does not mean the company has proactively turned off a customer’s power. If there is an outage while these settings are activated, it is the result of an issue on the power line.

Power will remain off until our crews can visually inspect power lines to make sure it is safe to turn them back on. This may mean that if an outage occurs, it could last longer.

Both EPSS and PSPS are only used when temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and other available fuel sources indicate a high risk for wildfire. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to take steps to reduce wildfire risk and keep our communities safe.

Ways customers can stay safe and prepare for storms

Stay away from downed power lines. Always assume an electric line, even one that is on or near the ground, is energized and therefore dangerous. Never, under any circumstance, touch or move a downed power line. If you come across a downed power line, leave the area and report it immediately by calling 1-800-895-1999.

Observe food safety. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, food safety is directly related to the temperature of the food. To maintain refrigerator and freezer temperatures, keep doors closed as much as possible. A full freezer will stay at freezing temperatures for approximately two days and a half-full freezer approximately one day.

Build a home emergency kit. Xcel Energy recommends assembling an easily accessible kit that can be used in the event of a power outage. Useful items may include:

Xcel Energy phone numbers: 1-800-895-1999 for residential or 1-800-481-4700 for business

Battery-powered radio or television

Flashlights

Batteries

Back up phone chargers

A phone that does not require electricity

Non-electric alarm clock

Bottled water and nonperishable food

Manual can opener

First aid kit

Extension cords (for partial outages)

Manufacturer’s instructions on how to manually open power-operated doors (e.g., garage doors)