AMARILLO, Texas (March.17, 2021) – Close to 25,000 Xcel Energy customers in the Texas Panhandle were without power at midday after blizzard conditions damaged power lines across the area.
According to a press release from Xcel Energy, the storm struck early Wednesday morning closing roads in and out of Amarillo, causing numerous outages and making travel difficult. Xcel Energy has been staging crews in Amarillo and Pampa and crews from other regions have been mobilized and are on their way to assist.
The first area of focus for crews, as soon as they are able to safely gain access, will be to restore the feeders that serve the largest number of customers. While a better estimate of restoration times will become clearer as the day progresses, Xcel Energy expects some customers may potentially experience outages that extend into tomorrow.
The company appreciates the continued patience and understanding of customers as crews manage through challenging conditions and the turbulent storm system that is impacting communities. Safety is the top priority. Customers should remember to:
Stay away from downed power lines and always assume that electric lines and equipment are energized.
Check for damage to the electric service mast to their home. If damaged, a licensed electrician must make repairs before service can be restored.
The Xcel Energy mobile app is also a great way to stay informed.
Additional resources include:
