According to Xcel Energy, power has been temporarily shut off for approximately 140 customers in eastern New Mexico to reduce the risk of wildfires. The decision is influenced by exceptionally high wind speeds, low humidity, and an abundance of dead or dry brush and grass.
This measure, known as a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), is a last resort when other methods are insufficient to ensure public safety. The affected customers are located in the Tucumcari area. The company anticipates that these power outages will begin around noon MT. Customers can check online to see if their address is included in the PSPS event.
Once the high winds subside and it is safe to begin restoration efforts, it may take several hours to days for power to be restored. Crews must patrol the entire power line to ensure it is safe for re-energization. Crews are prepared to start restoration efforts as swiftly as possible once conditions improve and it is safe to inspect the power lines.
Additionally, power may be turned off to reduce wildfire risk for some customers in the Texas South Plains, including the communities of Meadow and Wellman, starting the morning of Tuesday, March 4. Xcel will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.
Meadow ISD Superintendent Bric Turner stated, “I am fairly confident that schools will not be affected by this, and that has come from Xcel. However, if we do lose power, we will get kids to their families as soon as we can.”
Wellman-Union ISD posted earlier today, “We have been made aware of a possible power outage tomorrow, March 4th. We are planning ahead to be prepared if this were to happen. We will be serving Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches on the menu with cucumbers and items in a sack lunch. If you send a lunch with your child, please plan on no microwaves to warm up any food. Also, we thought it would be fun for everyone to bring a flashlight tomorrow. It will be “bring a flashlight to school day”. Once again, Wellman-Union ISD is planning ahead to be prepared if the power is shut off, and they will keep parents, students, and community members posted of any further information and updates as needed.
Xcel Energy will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves on a dedicated event webpage, along with the current status of outages available through the electric service outage map. The company is working to notify affected customers before their power is turned off to inform them about the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). Xcel Energy also encourages all customers, especially those who rely on medical equipment that needs electricity, to prepare for weather events and the possibility of power outages.
Additionally, Xcel Energy expects that extreme weather may cause power outages unrelated to the PSPS, particularly due to the forecast of strong winds that could down trees and power lines. Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings are currently in effect across our New Mexico and Texas service areas. This means that power lines are more sensitive and may automatically shut off electricity if an issue is detected, such as a tree branch touching the line. In such instances, power will remain off until our crews can ensure it is safe to restore it. These settings are designed to enhance public safety during high-risk conditions, but they may result in outages lasting longer than usual.
“Weather forecasts and advanced risk models indicate a high risk of extreme weather in eastern New Mexico, which could lead to rapidly spreading wildfires and extensive damage to our electric infrastructure,” said Adrian Rodriguez, president of Xcel Energy – New Mexico and Texas. “Implementing a targeted Public Safety Power Shutoff is a serious step that we only take as a last resort to protect our customers and communities. As always, our crews will work as quickly as possible to restore power after this event and any other weather-related outages.”
Important tools for Xcel Energy customers
- Customers can visit our PSPS Event website to stay up to date.
- The website now includes a PSPS map that customers can use to look up their address to find out whether they may experience a PSPS.
- The status of current outages is tracked on the electric service outage map.
Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings activated
Due to the elevated risk of wildfire, Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) are active across our Texas and New Mexico service territory.
- When EPSS is 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.
How customers can prepare, stay safe
Stay Informed
If other weather-related outages occur, it’s important for customers to have access to the most recent updates about their power restoration. Customers should make sure their account information and communications preferences are up to date through the Xcel Energy website.
The website hosts an outage map that displays information on the number of customers out and anticipated time for restoration when available. Customers can also stay informed by following Xcel Energy on Facebook and X.
Customers can also visit the PSPS Event website for more information.
Build a Home Emergency Kit
Customers are encouraged to be prepared for an electric outage by keeping phones and other devices charged and building an outage kit with items that do not require electricity, including:
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Backup phone chargers
- A phone that does not require electricity
- Non-electric alarm clock
- Bottled water and non-perishable 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)
- Xcel Energy phone numbers – (800) 895-1999 for residential or (800) 481-4700 for business
As an important reminder to customers who have medical equipment that relies on electric service, please take steps to prepare a backup power supply in case outages do occur. We will be contacting known medical customers in the area directly to inform them about forecasted severe weather and potential impacts.
We are continually investing in and building out our systems to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale and duration of potential power disruptions. More tips for how to prepare for an outage are available here.
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.
