Eau Claire, Wisconsin–July 21, 2019— Xcel Energy expects to restore service to nearly all Wisconsin customers who can receive service by Sunday evening following yesterday’s severe storms.

About 25,000 customers lost power at some point over the course of Friday and Saturday. As of Sunday afternoon, about 2,000 customers remain without power in Wisconsin, with the majority of those located in Polk and Barron Counties where damage to trees and power lines was extensive.

“We understand it’s a major inconvenience to lose power, and we thank our customers for their patience and understanding as our employees and partners work to restore their electric service,” said BJ Rauckman, senior director, distribution operations, Xcel Energy-Wisconsin. “Many thanks to the more than 500 Xcel Energy employees and partners who worked through the weekend in challenging conditions.”

Customers who remain without service should contact Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-1999 to report their outage for information. Another item customers should check is the ‘mast,’ a pipe-like housing that connects service wires to the electric meter. If the mast has been damaged, customers must contact an electrician to repair it before service can be safely restored. Here’s some additional information about electric masts.

Other ways customers can prepare, stay safe

Stay away from downed power lines. Always assume an electric line, even one that is on or near the ground, is energized and therefore dangerous. Never, under any circumstance, touch or move a downed power line. If you come across a downed power line, leave the area and report it immediately by calling 1-800-895-1999.

Build a home emergency kit. Xcel Energy recommends assembling an easily accessible kit that can be used in the event of a power outage. Useful items may include:

  • Xcel Energy phone numbers - 1-800-895-1999 for residential or 1-800-481-4700 for business
  • Battery-powered radio or television
  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Back up 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)

Observe food safety. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, food safety is directly related to the temperature of the food. To maintain refrigerator and freezer temperatures, keep doors closed as much as possible. A full freezer will stay at freezing temperatures for approximately two days and a half-full freezer approximately one day. Visit the USDA website (external link) for more information.

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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.