PNM: Power outages, shutoffs possible during upcoming storm in New Mexico
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The state's largest electric utility is bracing for the winds from an upcoming storm on Thursday. PNM said power outages are possible Thursday with gusts expected to reach up to 70 miles an hour in some areas. The East Mountains, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas are the most at risk.
Latest Weather Forecast
The winds could also lead to longer outages and PNM said it won't be safe to inspect or repair power lines until daybreak on Friday. The utility may even be forced to shut off power to keep areas safe. 'It's important to point out that PNM has not made a decision to implement public safety power shutoffs at this time, but we are mobilizing crews and resources in case it becomes necessary,' said Mike Mertz, Vice President of Operations, TXNM Energy. PNM said it will monitor a number of factors to determine if 'public safety power shutoffs' are necessary.
'It's not just one threshold. We take into consideration the fuel content in the area, the moisture that's in the soil or the fuel…and then windspeed,' said a PNM spokesperson. If the PSPS happens, PNM expects about 11,000 people in the East Mountains, 35,000 people in Santa Fe and the Cochiti Pueblo, and 2,300 people in Las Vegas to be impacted.
PNM said it will stay in contact with communities if those public safety shutoffs go into effect. Those decisions would likely be made Thursday morning.
PNM shared this call to action for customers:
Customers should sign up for outage alerts by texting #REG to 78766 from a phone number associated with their account. Then text #ALERT to 78766.
Customers should update their contact information at PNM.com/login or call us at 888-DIAL-PNM.
Given the widespread nature of the storm it is also possible that customers outside of these areas could experience extended power outages. Customers can report a power outage at PNM.com/outage or by texting #REG to 78766 and then #OUT to 78766. Customers can view the power outage map at PNM.com/outagemap.
Plan ahead. The American Red Cross advises steps to prepare for a power outage at: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/power-outage.html.
Learn more at PNM.com/wildfire-safety.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Washington Post
Tropical Storm Barbara forecast to become a hurricane Monday as Storm Cosme forms in the Pacific
MIAMI — Two tropical storms gathered strength off Mexico's Pacific coast Monday, with one forecast to become a hurricane later in the day, forecasters warned. Tropical Storm Barbara was about 185 miles (295 kilometers) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico early on Monday, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Associated Press
Tropical Storm Barbara forecast to become a hurricane Monday as Storm Cosme forms in the Pacific
MIAMI (AP) — Two tropical storms gathered strength off Mexico's Pacific coast Monday, with one forecast to become a hurricane later in the day, forecasters warned. Tropical Storm Barbara was about 185 miles (295 kilometers) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico early on Monday, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. Barbara is expected to continue moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph for the next couple of days. It will reach hurricane strength later on Monday but should begin weakening by Tuesday, the NHC said. The storm may bring total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches (51 to 101 millimeters) to coastal areas of Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states, with the possibility of localized flooding on Monday. The NHC said swells from Barbara were likely to form life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the southwestern Mexican coast, with gusty winds likely. Another tropical storm, Cosme, strengthened slightly Monday but remained well off the coast of Mexico, about 630 miles (1,015 kilometers) south-southwest of the tip of Baja California, the NHC said. At 2 a.m. local time it had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and was moving west-northwest at 9 mph. Cosme is expected to reach near-hurricane strength on Monday before turning to the northeast and picking up speed Tuesday into Wednesday.
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Tropical Storm Barbara forms off the southwestern coast of Mexico, expected to become a hurricane
What to expect as 2025 hurricane season begins Tropical Storm Barbara formed off the coast of Southwestern Mexico and it is expected to become a hurricane without menacing land, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Sunday. Barbara was located about 170 miles southwest of the tourist port of Zihuatanejo in Guerrero state, according to the center. It had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and was moving west-northwest at 12 mph. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Two to four inches of rainfall in portions of Mexico's western states may lead to flooding and mudslides through Monday. The storm is also likely to generate sea swells with life-threatening surf and rip currents along the southwestern coast. Forecast cone for Tropical Storm Barbara NOAA/National Hurricane Center At 4 a.m., the center was located in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, moving west-northwest at 12 miles per hour. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour, with higher gusts. Barbara is forecast to continue to strengthen and become a hurricane on Monday. NOAA officials predicted a 60% chance of an "above-normal" hurricane season, with between 13 to 19 named storms. Six to 10 of those are expected to strengthen into hurricanes, and three to five could become major hurricanes, forecasters said. The Pacific hurricane season began on May 15, while the Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 until Nov. 30, with peak activity typically occurring between mid-August and mid-October.
