To prevent wildfires, eastern NM could lose power Friday
Eastern New Mexico residents can expect high winds and low humidity levels later this week, prompting Xcel Energy to notify customers about a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS, on Friday.
Xcel Energy provides service in Artesia, Carlsbad, Clovis, Dexter, Eunice, Hagerman, Hobbs, Jal, Lake Arthur, Loving, Portales, Roswell, Texico and Tucumcari.
The utility said a PSPS is a last resort. Xcel plans to utilize Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings first, keeping power online unless an issue like a fallen tree branch is detected.
Xcel officials in a news release Tuesday encouraged customers to prepare a home emergency kit in case the company needs to de-energize parts of the grid, with items like flashlights, batteries, first-aid kits and a battery-powered radios.
The utility's online outage map at www.outagemap-xcelenergy.com/outagemap/ includes live outage updates and anticipated restoration timelines. Customers can also stay up to date on social media, like X and Facebook, and update their communication preferences from Xcel online at nm.my.xcelenergy.com/s/.
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