PNM Actively Preparing for a Public Safety Power Shutoff for Today in Las Vegas
(Albuquerque, NM) – As of 10:30 a.m. today, PNM continues to prepare for severe weather forecasted for most our service area, including high wind speeds. Wind gusts are anticipated to reach over 50 mph throughout New Mexico, which could increase the risk of power outages due to broken tree limbs or other wind damage.
Increased chance of power outage throughout PNM service area
PNM reminds all customers that higher winds increase the chance of power outages. Additionally, the National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings in many parts of the state due to extreme wildfire risk. In response, PNM has changed settings on parts of its system to reduce the risk of power lines igniting a wildfire. The enhanced system settings mean an increased chance of extended, weather-related outages. These settings automatically de-energize power lines when strong winds cause debris or trees to contact lines, reducing the chance of igniting a fire. Power outages are more likely with these settings, and customers should prepare for outages lasting for several hours and possibly overnight.
PNM encourages all customers to prepare for potential power disruptions by taking a few steps ahead of the weather:
Stay safe. Customers should stay away from downed power lines. If you see a downed power line, do not touch it or anything in contact with it. Call 911 and PNM immediately at 888-DIAL-PNM. Always consider a power line energized and dangerous.
Stay informed. Customers should sign up for outage alerts by texting #REG to 78766 from a phone number associated with their account. Then text #ALERT to 78766.
Stay prepared. The American Red Cross advises customers prepare a power outage kit including water, food, flashlights, and medications. For more tips from the American Red Cross visit https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/power-outage.html.
Report an outage. PNM may not be aware of an outage in your area unless you report it by: texting #REG to 78766 and then #OUT to 78766, going online at www.PNM.com/outage, or calling us at 888-DIAL-PNM.
PNM Actively Preparing for a Public Safety Power Shutoff for Today in Las Vegas
In response to extreme fire conditions caused by prolonged dry weather, large amounts of fuel in wooded areas, warmer temperatures, low humidity, and increased winds PNM is actively preparing for a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in the Las Vegas area today sometime after mid-morning to prevent power lines from igniting a wildfire. The decision to shut off power will be made only as a last resort to protect lives and property from the threat of wildfire.
If implemented, PNM expects this PSPS to impact approximately 2,300 customers. PNM has sent notifications to potentially impacted customers advising of this possible PSPS. Customers can refer to this map to understand if they could be impacted.
Customers in this communities are urged to prepare for a likely Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) at any time today, which could last overnight and up to 48 hours depending on fire conditions and potential damage caused to the system by high winds. Assuming no damage is caused by this wind event to the system, we estimate that power could be restored as early as 3 a.m. Friday, April 18. PNM reminds customers that crews will be patrolling our system into the night and urges customers to stay safe by letting them work to safely bring the power back on.
Customers are reminded to log into their accounts on www.PNM.com to make sure their contact information is up to date to receive important notifications from PNM. PNM system operators will work to reroute power where possible to limit the number of customers affected. However, at this time PNM is advising all customers living within the possible impact areas to prepare for potential power outages.
For more information on wildfire safety, visit www.PNM.com/wildfire-safety.
