Residents in eastern New Mexico should prepare for temporary power outages today and possibly tomorrow, as Xcel Energy takes precautionary measures to reduce wildfire risk. The company announced that approximately 140 customers will be affected by the shutoff due to extreme weather conditions, including:
- High wind speeds
- Low humidity levels
- Abundant dry grass and dead brush
When Will the Power Outages Begin?
- Start Time: Around 12:00 PM (Mountain Time) today
- Duration: May extend into tomorrow
- Affected Areas: Residents can check their address online to see if they are included in the shutoff zone.
Texas South Plains Could Also Face Power Shutoffs
In addition to New Mexico, Xcel Energy warns that customers in Texas’ South Plains region could also experience power shutoffs beginning Tuesday morning if wildfire risks remain high.
Stay Updated on Power Outages
Customers can track power outages and updates in real-time by visiting:
- Xcel Energy’s event webpage
- Xcel Energy’s electric service outage map
How to Prepare for a Power Outage
To stay safe and minimize disruptions, customers should prepare an outage kit with essential items that do not require electricity.
Recommended items include:
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlights & extra batteries
- Backup phone chargers
- A phone that does not require electricity
- Non-electric alarm clock
- Bottled water & non-perishable food
- Manual can opener
- First aid kit
- Extension cords (for partial outages)
- Manufacturer’s instructions for manually opening power-operated doors (e.g., garage doors)
Xcel Energy Contact Numbers:
- Residential Customers: (800) 895-1999
- Business Customers: (800) 481-4700