AMARILLO, Texas (Mar. 3, 2025) – Xcel Energy will temporarily shut power off to about 140 customers in eastern New Mexico today to reduce wildfire risk. Exceptionally high wind speeds, low humidity and an abundance of dead or dry brush and grass are playing a role in this decision.

Temporarily shutting power off – known as a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) – is a targeted measure of last resort when other methods are not enough to ensure public safety. Affected customers are in the Tucumcari area. The company expects these power outages to begin about noon MT. Customers can look up their address online to find out if they may be subject to the PSPS event.

Once the high winds die down and it is safe to begin work to restore power, it may take several hours to days for customers’ power to be restored because a crew must patrol the entire power line to ensure it’s safe for that power line to be re-energized. Crews are positioned to begin restoration efforts as quickly as possible once conditions have improved and it is safe for them to begin inspecting power lines.

It is also likely that power will be turned off to reduce wildfire risk for some Texas South Plains customers, starting the morning of Tuesday, March 4. We will continue to share updates as conditions evolve.

Xcel Energy will continue to share updates as the situation develops on this dedicated event web page, and provide the current status of outages via the electric service outage map. Xcel Energy is working to contact affected customers before their power is turned off, making them aware of the PSPS. In addition, Xcel Energy encourages all customers, especially those who use medical equipment that relies on electrical service, to take steps to prepare for weather events and the potential for power outages.

Xcel Energy also anticipates extreme weather may lead to power outages unrelated to the PSPS, given the forecast for strong winds that could down trees and power lines. Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings are active across our New Mexico and Texas service area, which means that power lines are more sensitive and can stop the flow of energy if an issue is detected, such as a tree branch touching the line. In those cases, power will remain off until our crews can make sure it’s safe to turn it back on. These settings are intended to improve public safety during heightened risk conditions, but it means power outages are likely to last substantially longer than typical outages.

“Weather forecasts and advanced risk models indicate a high risk of extreme weather in eastern New Mexico and the potential to cause fast spreading wildfires, and the potential for extensive damage to our electric infrastructure,” said Adrian Rodriguez, president, Xcel Energy – New Mexico, Texas. “Implementing a targeted Public Safety Power Shutoff is a step we take seriously as it’s a last resort to protect our customers and communities. As always, our crews will work as quickly as they can to restore power following this event and other weather-related outages.”

Important tools for Xcel Energy customers

  • Customers can visit our PSPS Event website to stay up to date.
  • The website now includes a PSPS map that customers can use to look up their address to find out whether they may experience a PSPS.
  • The status of current outages is tracked on the electric service outage map.

Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings activated

Due to the elevated risk of wildfire, Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) are active across our Texas and New Mexico service territory.

  • When EPSS is activated, power lines can stop the flow of energy if an issue is detected, like a tree branch or other object touching the line.
  • EPSS does not mean the company has proactively turned off a customer’s power. If there is an outage while these settings are activated, it is the result of an issue on the power line.
  • Power will remain off until our crews can visually inspect power lines to make sure it is safe to turn them back on. This may mean that if an outage occurs, it could last longer.

Both EPSS and PSPS are only used when temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and other available fuel sources indicate a high risk for wildfire. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to take steps to reduce wildfire risk and keep our communities safe.

How customers can prepare, stay safe

Stay Informed

If other weather-related outages occur, it’s important for customers to have access to the most recent updates about their power restoration. Customers should make sure their account information and communications preferences are up to date through the Xcel Energy website.

The website hosts an outage map that displays information on the number of customers out and anticipated time for restoration when available. Customers can also stay informed by following Xcel Energy on Facebook and X.

Customers can also visit the PSPS Event website for more information.

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. We will be contacting known medical customers in the area directly to inform them about forecasted severe weather and potential impacts.

We are continually investing in and building out our systems to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale and duration of potential power disruptions. More tips for how to prepare for an outage are available here.

Report an Outage

Customers can help Xcel Energy get a jump on power restoration by reporting outages. Customers have several ways to report outages:

  • Via text by texting OUT to 98936 to report an outage, or text STAT to the same number to check the status of a power outage
  • By calling 1-800-895-1999 and following the prompts—the automated phone reporting system lets customers report outages in less than 60 seconds.

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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.