Community Corner

(UPDATED) Xcel Energy: Nearly 1,000 Linemen Working to Restore Power

Severe weather has caused "astonishing" numbers of power outages in the state.

UPDATE at 9:45 p.m. Saturday, June 22: Just before 9 p.m. Saturday night, Xcel Energy announced on Twitter that it had restored power to more than 400,000 customers as of 7 p.m. Workers are still working to restore power to the other 111,600 customers as soon as possible, the tweet said.

See the tweet here.

***Original Post***

Find out what's happening in Richfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The latest from Xcel Energy on the mass power outages in Richfield and around the state is below:

We have all available resources focused on power restoration efforts. You rely on us to provide power, and we are hard at work to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible. 

Multiple waves of severe weather over the last 36 hours have produced an astonishing 505,000 power outages to Xcel Energy customers in Minnesota. Power has been restored to more than two-thirds of the customers and approximately 150,000 customers remain without service. We have coordinated more than 975 linemen, including Xcel Energy employees, contractors and crews from other utilities in multiple states. They are in the area, working around the clock in 16-hour shifts to restore service. 

Restoration Times 
Due to the extent of the damage, restoration for some customers will take several more days. We currently estimate power will be restored to the vast majority of customers by noon Wednesday.

Updated Information
 
Please "like" Xcel Energy's Facebook page or visit Xcel Energy's Minnesota Storm Information webpage for more information. 


Stay Safe, Away from Downed Power Lines 
Stay away from downed power lines and report their location at 1-800-895-1999. All downed power lines, even if they're not moving or sparking, are dangerous and should never be approached. 

Tips for Extended Outages

Find out what's happening in Richfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Don't call 9-1-1 to report a power outage, as this unnecessarily ties up critical emergency phone lines. Customers experiencing an outage should contact Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-1999.
  •  If you own or plan to buy an emergency standby generator, for safety reasons Xcel Energy suggests that you plug appliances into the generator; or have an electrician wire the generator into your home's electrical system. Improper use of a standby generator can severely injure or kill you, your neighbors and the people who are working to restore your power.

Electrical Mast Damage

  • If the storm damaged your overhead mast, a pipe-like housing that connects overhead service wires to a home's meter, you must contact an electrician for repairs before we can reconnect service.

Cooking

  • If you have a natural gas stove or oven without an electric ignition, you will be able to use it for cooking during an outage.
  • Avoid opening a refrigerator or freezer during an outage. The less you open the doors, the longer your food will stay cold or frozen.
  • If you need to cook during an outage, use a properly vented fireplace, a camp stove or a can of Sterno. Be sure, however, that there is adequate ventilation.
  • Never use charcoal indoors.

Additional Tips

  • Leave one light switch turned on so you'll know when electricity service has been restored.
  • Turn off other appliances such as the television, refrigerator and range. If they are left on during the outage, there's a chance of electrical overload when power is restored.
  • Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly.

Thank you for your patience.

Xcel Energy


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