About 8,000 Xcel Energy Customers Without Power In Denver Metro Area Thursday Morning
DENVER (CBS4) - As of 11 a.m. Thursday, Xcel Energy says about 8,000 customers are without power due to hurricane-strength wind that swept across the Denver metro area Wednesday. That's an improvement from the 31,000 customers who were without power the night before. The agency said crews are working as quickly as possible and worked through the night.
According to Xcel Energy, "... about 112,000 customers have had their power restored with about 8,000 customers, mostly in the Denver area, still without power. Staffing levels have been increased and include 475 employees and contractors who will work through the day and night on power outages."
Crews have replaced about 60 power poles and more than 7,600 feet of power lines.
Officials say, typically, larger outages are worked on first before crews work on smaller ones.
A downed power line at 4th and Clarkson in Denver is just one example of wind damage across Colorado on Wednesday. Those downed power lines are being blamed for power outages in the neighborhood.
Xcel Energy says, if customers come across a downed line, they should assume its energized and dangerous. Never touch or move a downed line, and instead, leave the area and report it immediately by calling 1-800-895-1999.
There are sporadic power outages across the state due to downed power lines and other damage from high winds.
"During storm restoration, customers should anticipate that crews will not clean up tree debris, instead focusing on restoring power. Only during routine maintenance will crews chip and haul away branches," Xcel Energy said in a news release.
Denver opened a warming shelter at the St. Charles Recreation Center until 11 p.m.
RELATED: Red Cross Opens Overnight Shelter For Some Coloradans Without Power
There is a High Wind Warning in effect through 5 p.m. Wednesday that includes virtually every location in Colorado along and east of the Continental Divide.
There are reports of multiple downed power lines in Otero County that may be connected to a small brush fire.
Xcel Energy customers have several ways to report their outage:
- Xcel Energy mobile app
- Online at xcelenergy.com/out
- Text 'OUT' to 98936 to report an outage, or text STAT to the same number to check the status of a power outage.
- Call 1-800-895-1999 and follow the prompts—the automated phone reporting system lets customers report outages in less than 60 seconds. Once the cause of the problem is identified, the system or an Xcel Energy representative will provide customers with an estimated restoration time.
