MINNEAPOLIS (March 18, 2025) — Xcel Energy is preparing for a strong storm system that will bring the potential for severe weather, high winds and snow across parts of the Upper Midwest late Tuesday evening into Wednesday. Crews are ready to safely restore power as quickly as possible.

Weather forecasts call for freezing rain late Tuesday night. On Wednesday, heavy, wet snowfall is expected, including the possibility of high winds, which may cause blizzard-like conditions in portions of south-central Minnesota.

Xcel Energy is tracking these forecasts and will stage crews and equipment to respond to any outages, responding to the largest outages first to quickly get the most customers back online as soon as possible. Xcel Energy understands that losing power can impact customers’ lives. The company has a strong commitment to safely restoring power as quickly as possible during weather-related outages. One reason for that is the preparation done in advance.

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.
     
  • Maintain healthy air quality indoors by using a range hood for ventilation when cooking with an electric or natural gas appliance. Install detectors for carbon monoxide, which is odorless, colorless and tasteless, but very toxic. Move outside and call for medical help if experiencing symptoms such as headaches, nausea, ringing in the ears and lethargy.
     
  • 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.

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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 X and Facebook.