AMARILLO, Texas (Feb. 16, 2026) — Xcel Energy continues to refine the areas and number of customers that may be impacted by a likely Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in the northern Texas Panhandle tomorrow, February 17. A PSPS is being considered to reduce the risk of wildfire during a period of very high winds, low humidity and dry fuels. Widespread wildfire conditions are expected to continue across the region throughout the week.

Xcel Energy is planning a PSPS beginning around 9 a.m. CT, potentially affecting approximately 15,000 customers. Counties currently under consideration for PSPS actions: Armstrong, Carson, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hansford, Hartley, Hutchinson, Moore, Oldham, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, and Texas counties. We will provide more detailed scoping of actual PSPS locations later today, including interactive outage maps where customers can determine if they are in the likely PSPS areas. Customers in these counties should take action to prepare for planned and unplanned power outages.

Updated risk assessments, based on the latest forecast data, advanced modeling tools and recent improvements to grid infrastructure, have enabled us to reduce the size of the potential outage areas and remove New Mexico customers from the likely PSPS.

Xcel Energy will continue notifying customers who may be affected and will update customers throughout the event. The affected locations and customer counts may continue to change as weather conditions evolve, and the scope is further refined.  

Weather conditions that could trigger a PSPS are expected to start improving around 5 p.m. Tuesday, although high winds capable of increasing wildfire risk and causing outages may continue through Thursday.

Please note that outages are likely even outside of PSPS areas due to high winds. Power restoration following a PSPS or significant weather event can take several hours to several days, as crews must patrol and inspect power lines before safely re-energizing them.  With anticipated high-risk conditions through Thursday, restoration times may be impacted. Xcel Energy is staging crews and equipment and will begin restoration work as soon as conditions allow.

How customers can prepare, stay safe    

Xcel Energy will provide updates for this specific weather event on its PSPS Event Update page. Customers can check the outage map for up-to-date information on outages and estimated restorations times, when available. They should make sure their account information and communications preferences are up to date in  My Account. 

Customers can also stay informed by following Xcel Energy on Facebook and X.  

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. Xcel Energy is contacting verified medical customers in the area directly to inform them about forecasted severe weather and potential impacts.  

Xcel Energy is continually investing in the electric systems to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale, and duration of potential power disruptions. Our website includes more tips for how to prepare for an outage.   

To report an outage:

  • Text OUT to 98936 or text STAT to the same number to check the status of a power outage

  • By calling 1-800-895-1999

# # #

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider, dedicated to serving millions of customers with excellence. We make energy work better for customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar — delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient and sustainable energy.

We are committed to leading the clean energy transition, meeting our customers’ need for more, cleaner power, while keeping bills as low as possible. Because the people we serve depend on us to power their lives.

Headquartered in Minneapolis, we work every day to generate and distribute electricity and gas to customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on X and Facebook.