Xcel Makes Progress, But Thousands Still Without Power in Twin Cities

A weekend of storms and downpours has combined to create the largest power outage event in Minnesota history. 

Oakdale residents weren't immune, as early Friday storms coupled with another round of severe weather Friday night and heavy rains again on Saturday made it three strikes-you're out of power for hundreds here. 

As a result, Xcel Energy, Oakdale's major utility for electrical services, has put together the biggest restoration project in the company's history here in Minnesota. 

According to Xcel: 

All available resources, including more than 1,100 workers from 15 different states, are making repairs around the clock to restore service to Xcel Energy customers in Minnesota.

Since early Friday morning, approximately 554,000 customers have experienced an outage and 455,000 have been restored. Restoration for some of the remaining 99,000 customers will take several more days and any additional severe weather could delay repair work. We currently estimate power will be restored to the vast majority of customers by noon Wednesday.

Top Priority Given to Situations Threatening Public Safety

• Our restoration process gives top priority to situations that threaten public safety, such as live, downed wires. 
• We prioritize our work to restore power to critical services such as hospitals, nursing homes and fire departments. 
• Repairs are then prioritized based on what will restore power to the largest number of customers most quickly. 
• The number of customers affected by an outage will depend on where the cause of the outage occurred. 
• Even if you do not see crews from Xcel Energy or one of our partner utilities in your neighborhood, we are still at work restoring your service as the problem may not be close to your home. In addition, with the amount of trees and limbs down, we have tree clearing crews out in advance of the line crews to remove any branches from the lines.

Repair Service Mast

• If the storm damaged your overhead mast, a pipe-like housing that connects overhead service wires to a home's meter, you must contact an electrician for repairs before we can reconnect service. 

 
Stay Safe, Away from Downed Power Lines 

• Stay away from downed power lines and report their location at 1-800-895-1999. All downed power lines, even if they're not moving or sparking, are dangerous and should never be approached.

Should I Call to Report My Outage?

• If you have not yet called to report your outage, or if you have called and the power in your neighborhood comes back on and your power is still out, please call 1-800-895-1999.

Updated Information 

• Please "like" Xcel Energy's Facebook page or visit Xcel Energy's Minnesota Storm Information webpage for more information.

Additional Tips

• Leave one light switch turned on so you'll know when electricity service has been restored.
• Turn off other appliances such as the television, refrigerator and range. If they are left on during the outage, there's a chance of electrical overload when power is restored. 
• Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly.