INTO WEATHER IMPACT MODE HERE IN THE ALBUQUERQUE METRO. AS ERIC MENTIONED, PARTS OF SOUTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO ARE EXPECTED TO GET ICE FROM THIS STORM THAT COULD LEAD TO POWER OUTAGES. REPORTER ALYSSA MUNOZ CONTINUES OUR TEAM WEATHER COVERAGE WITH WHAT YOU CAN DO IF THIS HAPPENS. GOOD MORNING ALYSSA. GOOD MORNING. YES. PLACES LIKE CLOVIS OR HOBBS WHERE I’M FROM, ARE EXPECTED TO SEE A LOT OF ICE. NOW, THIS IS JUST ICE FROM THE FRIDGE. BUT AS WE KNOW, IT CAN ALL BUILD UP. NOW, THAT CAN CAUSE POWER LINES TO WEIGH DOWN AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE OUTAGES AS WELL. I SPOKE WITH XCEL ENERGY, WHICH SERVES PARTS OF NEW MEXICO FROM TUCUMCARI DOWN SOUTH. THEY TELL US ICE IS BASICALLY THE WORST CASE SCENARIO. THAT SAID, THIS ISN’T THEIR FIRST WINTER STORM. THEY SAY THEIR SYSTEM IS BUILT TO HANDLE CERTAIN LEVELS OF ICE AND WIND, AND THEY’RE PREPARING NOW WITH ABOUT 100 CREWS PLUS ADDITIONAL SERVICEMEN READY TO RESPOND. CASEY MEEKS, THE THE REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, SPOKE WITH US ABOUT THIS STORM. IF WE GET MAJOR ICING, IT COULD START TAKING POLES AND ARMS DOWN, YOU KNOW, TURNS INTO A LITTLE MORE SIGNIFICANT RESTORATION EVENT, MORE CREWS, LONGER TIME PERIOD TO GET THAT DONE. BUT AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WE’RE NOT ANTICIPATING AT THIS POINT IN TIME, YOU KNOW, CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC, I GUESS I’LL SAY ABOUT THE ICE PREDICTION. NIEMIEC SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A PLAN IN CASE OF THESE POWER OUTAGES, WHETHER THAT’S HAVING A GAS HEATER NEARBY, SOME BLANKETS, OR EVEN JUST ANOTHER PLACE TO
Southeastern New Mexico braces for winter storm
Ice could cause potential power outages
Southeastern New Mexico is preparing for a winter storm expected to bring ice, potentially leading to power outages in areas like Clovis and Hobbs, as Xcel Energy mobilizes crews to respond.Ice accumulation can weigh down power lines, causing outages, and Xcel Energy, which serves parts of New Mexico from Tucumcari southward, is taking precautions. They have stated that ice is the worst-case scenario for their systems, but their infrastructure is built to handle certain levels of wind and ice. They are also prepared with about 100 crews and additional servicemen ready to respond.Casey Meeks, the Regional Vice President for Distribution Operations, discussed the potential impact of the storm. “If we get major icing, it could start taking poles and arms down, you know, turns into a little more significant restoration event, more crews, longer time period to get that done. But again, you know, we’re not anticipating it at this point in time, you know, cautiously optimistic, I guess I’ll say, about the ice prediction,” Meeks said.He also advised residents to have a plan in case of power outages, suggesting they keep a gas heater nearby, warm blankets, or have a place to go if conditions worsen.
Southeastern New Mexico is preparing for a winter storm expected to bring ice, potentially leading to power outages in areas like Clovis and Hobbs, as Xcel Energy mobilizes crews to respond.
Ice accumulation can weigh down power lines, causing outages, and Xcel Energy, which serves parts of New Mexico from Tucumcari southward, is taking precautions. They have stated that ice is the worst-case scenario for their systems, but their infrastructure is built to handle certain levels of wind and ice. They are also prepared with about 100 crews and additional servicemen ready to respond.
Casey Meeks, the Regional Vice President for Distribution Operations, discussed the potential impact of the storm. “If we get major icing, it could start taking poles and arms down, you know, turns into a little more significant restoration event, more crews, longer time period to get that done. But again, you know, we’re not anticipating it at this point in time, you know, cautiously optimistic, I guess I’ll say, about the ice prediction,” Meeks said.
He also advised residents to have a plan in case of power outages, suggesting they keep a gas heater nearby, warm blankets, or have a place to go if conditions worsen.
