MINNEAPOLIS (April 1, 2026) — Xcel Energy is preparing for freezing rain and ice buildup predicted overnight across central and southern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, with crews ready to safely restore any outages of electric or natural gas service as quickly as possible.

Xcel Energy maintains a diverse energy mix to provide customers with the safe and reliable energy they depend on, even through inclement weather. Weather forecasts anticipate a wintry mix between midnight and tomorrow morning that will bring rain and sleet, with the potential to form ice that brings down tree branches and power lines. The company is tracking these forecasts and will have crews ready to address outages on Thursday, starting with the largest outages first to quickly get the most customers back online as soon as possible.

Report an outage or get updates

Customers can help Xcel Energy get a jump on power restoration by reporting outages. To report an outage:

Customers can also access the most recent updates about an outage using the mobile app or by visiting the Outage Map, which displays the number of customers out and the anticipated restoration time if available.

Prepare and stay safe

  • Keep natural gas meters clear to avoid a dangerous buildup of pressure in gas lines and prevent gas from leaking inside the home. Gently remove accumulated snow or ice by hand and clear a path to the meter for easy access in an emergency.
  • Use space heaters carefully to prevent fires. Read all instructions and warning labels and verify that the heater is listed by a recognized testing laboratory. Avoid using heaters with cracked plugs or worn or damaged components. Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when leaving a room or going to sleep.
  • Stay away from downed or sagging power lines. Always assume an electric line, even one on the ground, is energized and dangerous. Never touch or move a downed power line; instead, leave the area and report it immediately by calling 1-800-895-1999.
  • Build a home emergency kit to use in the event of a power outage, with items such as:
  • Xcel Energy phone numbers: 1-800-895-1999 for residential or 1-800-481-4700 for business
  • Battery-powered radio or television
  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Backup phone chargers
  • A phone that does not require electricity
  • Non-electric alarm clock
  • Bottled water and nonperishable 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)

Find more energy savings tips or learn about the programs, incentives and rebates available when making energy efficiency upgrades to homes and businesses. Xcel Energy encourages customers who are having trouble paying their energy bills to reach out to learn about payment plans or energy assistance programs.

# # #

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.