Xcel Energy offers hotline for reporting power outages

Spring thunderstorms have already arrived on the Gogebic Range and Xcel Energy officials said it’s time to prepare for possible severe weather.

“We’ve already experienced some strong winds and the first heavy thunderstorms of the year are likely not too far away. With that in mind, it is always a good reminder that we all need to be prepared,” said Liz Wolf Green, of Eau Claire, Wis., Xcel Energy’s spokesperson.

In the event of power outages, a hotline is available to the public at 1-800-895-1999.

Xcel offers the following tips in the event of a severe storm:

—Stay away from downed power lines.

—Check on family and friends.

—Contact Xcel if the power is out or a line is down.

Green said as storms approach, Xcel lines up additional crews and may begin checking on the availability of crews from neighboring utilities and area contractors, if needed.  

“Long before storms hit, we prune and when necessary remove trees and other vegetation in the rights-of-way along thousands of miles of transmission and distribution lines, and we work with landowners to determine if trees and other vegetation are compatible with the safe operation of our electric lines,” she said.

“Xcel Energy’s goal is to restore power quickly and safely, and our crews are experts in getting the power back on,” Green said.

Customers should make sure Xcel Energy knows their power is out.

Xcel Energy gives top priority to situations that threaten public safety, such as live, downed wires.

“Remaining work initially is prioritized based on what will restore power to the largest number of customers most quickly,” Green said.

“In general, we repair transmission lines first because they serve the largest number of customers. These high-voltage lines carry electricity in bulk from power plants to regional substations that may serve one or multiple communities.

“Feeder lines — major power lines that can serve thousands of customers — come next.

“Then we repair tap lines that typically serve from 40 to 400 residential and business customers,” Green said.

“We follow up by repairing damage to individual service wires, which carry power from a tap to a home or business,” she said.

For more information on how to prepare for electricity outages, go to http://www.xcelenergy.com, click on “Outages” and scroll down to “About Electric Outages” and/or “Outages FAQ.”