Xcel Power Outage Disrupts 74,000 Customers in Minnesota Amid Severe Storms

Xcel Energy is actively working to restore power across Minnesota following a series of severe storms that have impacted the state. Currently, outages are affecting approximately 74,000 customers, with the majority located in the Twin Cities area, according to the latest reports. Xcel’s efforts to address the issue come as strong thunderstorms continue to sweep through the region, leaving thousands without electricity.

The situation remains fluid, with the Xcel Energy outage map indicating about 1,147 separate outages as of late evening. These outages are impacting around 72,000 residents, underscoring the widespread effect of the current weather conditions. In addition to power outages, severe weather has brought pea-sized hail and powerful winds to the Plymouth and broader Twin Cities metro area, exacerbating challenges faced by residents and utilities alike.

In Northeastern Minnesota, particularly along the Iron Range, roughly 10,000 homes were plunged into darkness as a result of early morning storms. The local utility providers Minnesota Power and Lake Country Power have been actively engaged in power restoration efforts. As of late Sunday, restoration was underway, with power still out for around 500 Minnesota Power members and over 1,200 Lake Country Power customers. Local crews in Hibbing worked tirelessly, addressing multiple challenges including fallen trees that have disrupted power lines.

A significant number of incidents have been reported due to the severe weather conditions, including debris and minor flooding. The heavy rainfalls have quickly saturated areas like Hibbing and Chisholm, leading the National Weather Service to report numerous fallen trees and branches that have further complicated the restoration efforts.

At the Hibbing Golf Course, preparations for the 18th annual James R Kiel Memorial Scholarship Tournament were momentarily halted due to power outages and adverse weather conditions. After a brief interruption, power was restored, allowing the event to proceed as planned, though clean-up operations continued due to storm debris and damage.

Meanwhile, in Eveleth, the storms led to a downed power line causing a vehicle to catch fire. This incident highlights the potentially hazardous nature of the ongoing weather conditions, with emergency responders from Eveleth, Fayal, and Gilbert attending the scene. Although the vehicle was completely lost to the fire, no injuries were reported, providing some relief amid the challenging conditions.

The storms’ effects are wide-ranging, with utility companies working around the clock to bring relief to affected areas. Xcel Energy has provided avenues for customers to report outages and stay informed on repairs and restoration through their mobile app, website, and customer service phone line.

As the weather continues to pose challenges across Minnesota, authorities and utility companies remain on high alert to address the unfolding situation. Analysts predict ongoing efforts will gradually restore stability to effected regions, although the full extent of storm damage remains under assessment.