As the region enters its peak storm season, Xcel Energy is reminding Texas and New Mexico customers how to prepare for possible electricity outages.
“We continue to invest in the region’s power grid to ensure the highest reliability, but strong winds and lightning from severe storms can still lead to outages,” said Brad Baldridge, director of Customer and Community Relations for Xcel Energy in New Mexico and Texas. “Most outages are restored quickly, but it’s important to stay safe and plan ahead if severe weather leads to longer duration outages.”
Customers can be prepared for possible storm outages by:
•Having an evacuation plan in the event of long-term outages, especially if caring for disabled family members or small children.
•Stockpiling nonperishable food items and bottled water.
• Locating flashlights ahead of time and replacing old batteries.
Outages caused by spring storms can present hazards to Xcel Energy employees and the public. Residents should always assume an electric line, even one that is on or near the ground, is energized and therefore dangerous, and should never touch or move a downed power line. Trained professionals with proper safety equipment must secure these damaged highvoltage facilities. If an outage occurs, it is important for residents to report outages in their area and not assume someone else has called in the details. The Xcel Energy mobile app or the My Account feature at xcelenergy.com are the most convenient ways to report an outage, and these tools also provide a way to receive texts, emails or voice messages updating customers on the status of outages in their area.
Customers may also view a map showing where outages are occurring.Additionally, customers may call 1-800-895-1999 and report an outage over the phone by following the prompts through the automated outage reporting system.
After a storm moves through, customers are also reminded to check for damage to the electric service mast to their home. The mast and meter box are customer owned facilities, and if damaged, a licensed electrician must make repairs before service can be restored.
Xcel Energy crews are industry recognized for their storm response and are prepared to deal with the worst types of storm damage and outage situations. The company routinely stages employees and supplies in key locations ahead of storms when possible and has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in upgraded power systems to improve reliability and provide more options to reroute power on the expanded network.
In the event of widespread outages caused by storms, Xcel Energy crews will prioritize efforts on large feeder lines to restore the largest numbers possible at once, then move to restore tap lines, transformers and individual service lines.
Information on what to do in the event of an outage and how Xcel Energy restores power can be found at the Outages & Safety page at xcelenergy.com.