(Alex Driggars/Floyd County Record)
LOCKNEY, TX – The city of Lockney and Xcel Energy are alerting customers about potential service disruptions due to upcoming weather conditions.
Both organizations are working together to inform the public that severe weather could impact power delivery and other essential services in the area. Residents are urged to take necessary precautions and stay prepared for any possible interruptions. Xcel Energy is closely monitoring the weather, and crews are on standby to address any issues that may arise. Customers are encouraged to report any outages or concerns promptly to ensure a swift response. Authorities are also reminding people to stay updated through local news and official channels for any critical information or service updates.
Xcel Energy is watching and preparing for severe weather forecasted across our service area in Texas and New Mexico, including high wind speeds and low relative humidity. Due to excessively dry conditions and large amounts of fuel, wildfire risk will increase across the region, and is expected to peak on Friday, March 14. We are encouraging customers to plan for potential power outages later this week due to the weather, especially those who have medical equipment that relies on electricity. Please know the forecast may change and we will provide updates as needed. Xcel Energy utilizes weather forecasts and other data sources to help determine the best course of action to protect public safety. High winds, low relative humidity and dry ground conditions are key factors in our risk models. We update our models regularly and adjust our operations accordingly to reduce wildfire risk. Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are tools that can reduce wildfire risk and keep our customers safe. EPSS allows for power lines to remain in service during periods of elevated wildfire risk, with additional protection settings enabled. In a PSPS event, power is proactively shut off for safety. This is not a step we take lightly. More background information is available on our website and this EPSS video. A PSPS is a risk mitigation option where power is shut off to a targeted area for a limited time period when wildfire risks are extremely high. It is a tool used only when the fire risk is exceptionally high, so other methods like EPSS are not enough for safety. Xcel Energy will work to notify customers who may be affected as soon as possible if a PSPS becomes necessary. Both EPSS and PSPS are only used when temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and other available fuel sources indicate a high risk for wildfire. Due to the elevated risk of wildfire, we have activatedEnhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) across our Texas South and New Mexico service territory, and will activate EPSS in the Texas Panhandle tomorrow. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to take steps to reduce wildfire risk and keep our communities safe.
