The following is a news release from the Xcel Energy:
Spring and summer storms bring needed rain to Xcel Energy’s Texas and New Mexico communities, but also an increased chance of power outages and property damage. As storms become more frequent in the coming weeks, Xcel Energy is taking time to remind customers how to report outages and how to stay safe during times of power disruptions.
“We are continually improving our customers’ electrical system to help it withstand lightning and high winds, and to provide our crews more options for restoring power quickly,” said David Hudson, president, Xcel Energy – New Mexico, Texas. “We have also rolled out more communication tools that allow our customers to stay in touch with us during outages, which provides us all peace of mind when extreme weather affects our reliability.”
Customers may report outages by calling 1-800-895-1999, through the company website – www.xcelenergy.com/outages or through the Xcel Energy mobile app (available on iOS and Android). Additionally, the website and app feature an outage map that displays information on the number of customers out and anticipated time for restoration. Customers may also sign up to be notified of outages in their area and to receive updates on outage restoration, or follow updates on Facebook and Twitter feeds for Xcel Energy-Texas and Xcel Energy-New Mexico.
Outages caused by spring storms can also present hazards to Xcel Energy employees and the public. Customers should always assume an electric line, even one that is on or near the ground, is energized and therefore dangerous. Customers should never touch or move a downed power line. Anyone coming across a downed power line is advised to leave the area and report it immediately by calling 1-800-895-1999.
“Safety has to be the top priority, and once we’ve established a safe zone in which to operate, we can move very quickly to restore power,” Hudson said.
While most outages are restored within a couple of hours, heavy storm damage can sometimes lead to long-duration outages. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, food in a refrigerator can stay cool for up to four hours if the door is kept closed, but customers should stockpile nonperishable food items if power remains off longer. It’s also a good idea to keep flashlights ready with fresh batteries.
Customers who depend on life support systems should discuss an evacuation plan with friends and families ahead of time, and be prepared to leave, if an outage lasts all day. Likewise, customers who are sensitive to heat should consider their options for finding a cool location until service is restored. In the event of widespread outages, most communities in the area are prepared to set up cooling centers, and will provide information to the public on where to find them.
Xcel Energy crews 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.
About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
(News release from Xcel Energy)