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Hey Ward 12 Neighbors,
Last night we had a big storm last night adding to the downed powerlines, fallen branches, and trees in our City from the last storm. Please continue to report issues to Minneapolis 311.
If you are experiencing delays in response please share your 311 case with my office: aurin.chowdhury@minneapolismn.gov. We have been helping several constituents over the last week. Please read the additional information below.
P.S. Community Office Hours opportunity shared at the end of the newsletter plus a survey question.
Thanks,
CM Aurin Chowdhury
Electricity
Public Works has a team of electricians assessing damage. At this time, there are no reports of fallen light poles or signal poles. Several signals are out and they are adding temporary stop signs to as many of these locations as possible. As Xcel restores power, electricians will verify whether there is damage to the signal then restore the signal to normal operations.
Public works is in contact with Xcel Energy who shared the following.
- Stay away from downed power lines.
- Check for damage to the electric service mast to your home. If damaged, a licensed electrician must make repairs before service can be restored.
- Workers are available throughout our service areas, ready to respond to outages and emergencies.
- Stay informed by checking Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and the Outages page on xcelenergy.com.
- The mobile app is also a great way to stay informed.
Street Clearing
Street Maintenance is in the process of calling in off-duty operators to open streets or alleys. If the trees aren’t on cars or touching electrical wires, public works will help push them aside and MPRB will remove.
Next steps
311 calls are rolling right to our Streets desk right now and this is the best way to get important information to our teams in the field. Report to 311 please!
Public Works will continue to coordinate with Xcel and MPRB this week to support cleanup and restoration of services.
Xcel Energy crews working to restore power after strong storms overnight in Twin Cities Metro
Company mobilizing field crews to get power back on for customers affected
MINNEAPOLIS (July 14, 2024) — Xcel Energy crews are working to assess damage and safely restore power to about 75,000 customers as quickly as possible after storms brought heavy rain, lightning and straight-line winds overnight in the Twin Cities Metro area.
About 500 Xcel Energy team members and another 750 from the company’s partners will be in the field working to restore power. Most of the outages are in the West Metro, with a smaller number elsewhere around the metro area and western Wisconsin.
Customers and members of the media checking Xcel Energy’s online outage map should be aware that the map is currently showing a higher number of outages than is accurate. The correct number as of this morning is about 75,000.
Xcel Energy anticipates restoring most customers’ power by Monday night, though work will continue into Tuesday. Sunday’s weather forecast calls for hot and humid conditions, with another round of storms possible Sunday evening. The company has put operational plans in place to ensure employees are available to respond to outages while staying safe in the heat.
Report your outage
Customers can help Xcel Energy get a jump on power restoration by reporting outages. Customers have several ways to report outages:
- Through the My Xcel Energy mobile app, available in the Apple App Store and through Google Play.
- Online at xcelenergy.com/out.
- 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. Once the cause of the problem is identified, the system or an Xcel Energy representative will provide customers with an estimated restoration time when available.
Stay informed about outages
When outages occur, it’s important for customers to have access to the most recent updates about their power restoration. Customers can stay informed by using the My Xcel Energy mobile app or by visiting 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.
Other ways customers can prepare and stay safe ahead of future storms
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Stay away from downed power lines. Always assume an electric line, even one that is on or near the ground, is energized and therefore dangerous. Never, under any circumstance, touch or move a downed power line. If you come across a downed power line, leave the area and report it immediately by calling 1-800-895-1999.
- Build a home emergency kit. Xcel Energy recommends assembling an easily accessible kit that can be used in the event of a power outage. Useful items may include:
- Xcel Energy phone numbers - 1-800-895-1999 for residential or 1-800-481-4700 for business
- o Battery-powered radio or television
- o Flashlights
- o Batteries
- o Back up phone chargers
- o A phone that does not require electricity
- o Non-electric alarm clock
- o Bottled water and nonperishable food
- o Manual can opener
- o First aid kit
- o Extension cords (for partial outages)
- o Manufacturer's instructions on how to manually open power-operated doors (e.g., garage doors)
- Observe food safety. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, food safety is directly related to the temperature of the food. To maintain refrigerator and freezer temperatures, keep doors closed as much as possible. A full freezer will stay at freezing temperatures for approximately two days and a half-full freezer approximately one day. Visit the USDA website for more information.
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Additional tips are available on our Outage Checklist.
Community Office Hours
Please join me at Sisters' Sludge (3746 23rd Ave) on Tuesday, July 16 at 5:30pm. Our office has had a lot outreach from constituents on the Police Officers Minneapolis Federation Bargaining Agreement. This is an opportunity for individuals to share their perspective on the contract ahead of the vote on July 18 with me and hear my perspective. Please fill out this survey form to share your opinion.
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