| Dear Neighbors,
I hope everyone is safe and well after yesterday's heavy storm. I would like to share important information from the City and Xcel about available resources.
311
Downed Trees and Branches
Xcel Energy
- Xcel Energy crews are working to assess damage and safely restore power to about 150,000 customers in the Twin Cities Metro and western Wisconsin after multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms brought heavy rain, hail and winds of 60-plus miles an hour.
- The storms caused widespread damage, including downed trees and power lines. Overnight, crews worked safely to restore power for 50,000 of the 87,000 customers affected by the first round of severe storms. Around 5 a.m., a second round began moving through, pushing outage counts back up across the region.
- Xcel Energy anticipated the storm and prepared by pre-staging crews in the Twin Cities. About 700 Xcel Energy employees and contractors are on the ground this morning to begin safely assessing damage, and the company expects to have 1,700 team members and contractors in the field this afternoon working to restore power.
- Because damage is widespread, it will take significant time to get the lights back on for all customers. Xcel Energy anticipates restoring power for about half of the 150,000 affected customers today. Most remaining customers will have power restored by Thursday evening.
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.
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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
- Battery-powered radio or television
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Backup phone chargers
- A phone that does not require electricity
- Non-electric alarm clock
- Bottled water and nonperishable 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)
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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 Xcel’s Outage Checklist.
Contact Information
Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can help you with. You can reach me by email, phone, and on social media.
Aurin.Chowdhury@minneapolismn.gov
612-673-2212
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250 South 4th St.
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Neighborhood Organizations
For reasonable accommodations or alternative format please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850. Para ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab, hu 311. Hadii aad caawimaad u baahantahay, wac 311. |
