POSSIBILITY AND WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THE COLD TEMPERATURES AHEAD. SASHA. OLGA. THANK YOU. WE CONTINUE OUR WEATHER TEAM COVERAGE NOW WITH FORECASTER COREY HOWARD AND COREY. YOU SPOKE WITH PNM ABOUT POSSIBLE POWER OUTAGES AND HOW WE CAN ACTUALLY GET AHEAD OF THAT. WELL THAT’S RIGHT, SASHA. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS CAN BE A HAZARD AND POWER OUTAGES COULD LAST FOR HOURS. AND THAT’S WHY PNM SAYS THEY’RE MAKING THEIR PREPARATIONS NOW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT FOLKS EXPERIENCE POWER OUTAGES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. AND SO, YOU KNOW, PNM IS PREPARING. AND WE’RE ASKING CUSTOMERS TO PREPARE AS WELL. SO HOW DO YOU PREPARE? START BY PUTTING TOGETHER AN OUTAGE KIT. AND IT MAKES SURE YOU HAVE NONPERISHABLE FOOD, FLASHLIGHTS, BATTERIES AND ANY MEDICATION YOU MIGHT NEED. IF SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD RELIES ON ELECTRICAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR PNM LIFEWATCH PROGRAM. THAT IS, IT’S EXTRA NOTIFICATION FOR THAT PERSON THAT HAS THE MEDICAL DEVICE AS WELL AS A FAMILY MEMBER OR A CAREGIVER. SO WHEN AN OUTAGE OCCURS, THAT PERSON WILL RECEIVE THE OUTAGE NOTIFICATION AS WELL AS THAT FAMILY OR CAREGIVER. YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR THAT BY VISITING PNM RESOURCES INC. THERE ARE ALSO NUMEROUS REASONS WHY AN OUTAGE COULD HAPPEN DURING A WINTER STORM. WE’VE EXPERIENCED THAT TOO. WHERE THE THE SNOW GETS HEAVY ON THE TREE LIMBS, FALLS IN THE TREES, COME INTO THE POWER LINES. LIKE I SAID, OUR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT CREWS ARE WORKING SO THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN. SOMETIMES THE THE THE SNOW PACKS ON THE LINES AND CAUSES THEM TO BREAK. AND IF AN OUTAGE DOES HAPPEN, ALWAYS REPORT IT. NEVER ASSUME PNM KNOWS ABOUT IT. YOU CAN REPORT IT BY TEXTING HASHTAG OUT TO 78766 WITH A PHONE ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR ACCOUNT, OR YOU CAN CALL US AT 888. DIAL PNM. NOW COMING UP AT FIVE. I’LL EXPLAIN WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE IN YOUR CAR AND WHAT YOU NEED TO DO I
Ice downs power lines in southern New Mexico leaving power outages
Winter weather can stress the power grid with heavy snow, ice and power use to keep homes warm. If your power goes out, you may have to contact your local power provider to report an outage or get an estimated restore time. Some utility companies provide an online outage map. A few of them are below.More information on PNM outages is available here.Xcel Energy outage informationFarmer’s Electric Coop outage informationCentral New Mexico Electric Cooperative outage informationMap above: Xcel Energy power outage mapMap above: Otero County Electric Coop outage mapBeing prepared for an outageBeing prepared is essential when the power goes out because many things we rely on every day could be impacted by a power outage. When the power goes out, you can always download the KOAT App for the most up-to-date severe weather information.Emergency kit Building an emergency preparedness kit can help you ride out a power outage. Here’s what you should have in your kit. At least 1 gallon of water per personA flashlight with extra batteriesPortable cell phone charger and a charger for your phone in your carImportant documentsExtra cashPortable hand crank radio or radio with batteriesFirst aid kit Nonperishable foodMore info from the Red Cross on a preparedness kit can be found here.PNM also advises everyone to take the following precautions in case of an extended power outage:Make sure you have alternative charging methods for your phone or any device that requires power, and be sure to charge cell phones and any battery-powered devices.Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it in case you need to leave your home.Keep at least a half tank of gas in your car. Gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.If you or a family member uses medical equipment that requires electricity, talk to a doctor or health care provider about how you can prepare for its use during a power outage.For additional tips and information, download the Red Cross Power Outage Checklist.During an outagePNM suggests everyone take the following steps during an outage:Electrical equipmentTurn off any appliances (like stoves) and unplug any electrical equipment that you were using when the power went out.Turn off all lights except one, so you’ll know when power has been restored.Unplug or turn off TVs, stereos or game systems.FoodKeep refrigerator or freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold.Buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for more than four hours.Inside your home Use flashlights for emergency lighting, and consider using flameless LED candles because regular candles can cause fires.In the summer, it can get very warm when the power is off for a long time. Move to the lowest level of your home, since cool air falls. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Consider going to a movie theater, shopping mall or somewhere else that might not be affected by the outage that has air conditioning to keep you and your family cool and comfortable.In the winter, wear layers of warm clothing. Do not use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (the home of a relative or friend, or a public facility) that has heat to keep warm.Generator safetyIf you are considering purchasing a generator for your home, consult an electrician or engineer before purchasing and installing it.Only use generators away from your home and never run a generator inside a home or garage, or connect it to your home’s electrical system.After the stormAfter a storm or an extended power outage, you should restock your emergency kit with fresh batteries, canned foods and other supplies that may have been used during the power outage. Fallen power linesDuring severe weather, power lines can fall. It’s important to stay away from any fallen line as it could be active. Here’s what you should do if you come across a fallen power line.If you come across a fallen power line, do not touch the line. Do not go near it or anything that is touching it, such as a tree branch, fence or vehicle. Call PNM immediately at 888-DIAL-PNM (888-342-5766).Always assume a downed line is energized, even if it’s not sparking, arcing, or on fire.A downed line can be dangerous even if you’re not touching it. Water, metal, tree branches, concrete or other materials touching the wire can conduct electricity to you.If a wire falls on your car, call 911 and stay in the vehicle until help arrives and the power is shut off. The tires on your car can act as an insulator.If a person or animal is in contact with electricity, stay back and call 911 and PNM. DO NOT attempt to help them or touch them because you could get hurt.If a line is down on your property, keep children and pets away, call PNM and wait until they arrive to make the scene safe and restore power.Download the KOAT App to receive customized alerts and track the weather for your location. You can watch our team coverage on the app, too.Check Live, Interactive RadarView Current Weather ConditionsSchool Closings and DelaysDownload the KOAT App on iPhoneDownload the KOAT App on Android Follow KOAT on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
Winter weather can stress the power grid with heavy snow, ice and power use to keep homes warm.
If your power goes out, you may have to contact your local power provider to report an outage or get an estimated restore time.
Some utility companies provide an online outage map. A few of them are below.
More information on PNM outages is available here.
Map above: Xcel Energy power outage map
Map above: Otero County Electric Coop outage map
Being prepared for an outage
Being prepared is essential when the power goes out because many things we rely on every day could be impacted by a power outage.
When the power goes out, you can always download the KOAT App for the most up-to-date severe weather information.
Emergency kit
Building an emergency preparedness kit can help you ride out a power outage.
Here’s what you should have in your kit.
PNM also advises everyone to take the following precautions in case of an extended power outage:
- Make sure you have alternative charging methods for your phone or any device that requires power, and be sure to charge cell phones and any battery-powered devices.
- Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it in case you need to leave your home.
- Keep at least a half tank of gas in your car. Gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
- If you or a family member uses medical equipment that requires electricity, talk to a doctor or health care provider about how you can prepare for its use during a power outage.
- For additional tips and information, download the Red Cross Power Outage Checklist.
During an outage
PNM suggests everyone take the following steps during an outage:
Electrical equipment
- Turn off any appliances (like stoves) and unplug any electrical equipment that you were using when the power went out.
- Turn off all lights except one, so you’ll know when power has been restored.
- Unplug or turn off TVs, stereos or game systems.
Food
- Keep refrigerator or freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold.
- Buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for more than four hours.
Inside your home
- Use flashlights for emergency lighting, and consider using flameless LED candles because regular candles can cause fires.
- In the summer, it can get very warm when the power is off for a long time. Move to the lowest level of your home, since cool air falls. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Consider going to a movie theater, shopping mall or somewhere else that might not be affected by the outage that has air conditioning to keep you and your family cool and comfortable.
- In the winter, wear layers of warm clothing. Do not use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (the home of a relative or friend, or a public facility) that has heat to keep warm.
Generator safety
- If you are considering purchasing a generator for your home, consult an electrician or engineer before purchasing and installing it.
- Only use generators away from your home and never run a generator inside a home or garage, or connect it to your home’s electrical system.
After the storm
After a storm or an extended power outage, you should restock your emergency kit with fresh batteries, canned foods and other supplies that may have been used during the power outage.
Fallen power lines
During severe weather, power lines can fall. It’s important to stay away from any fallen line as it could be active. Here’s what you should do if you come across a fallen power line.
- If you come across a fallen power line, do not touch the line. Do not go near it or anything that is touching it, such as a tree branch, fence or vehicle. Call PNM immediately at 888-DIAL-PNM (888-342-5766).
- Always assume a downed line is energized, even if it’s not sparking, arcing, or on fire.
- A downed line can be dangerous even if you’re not touching it. Water, metal, tree branches, concrete or other materials touching the wire can conduct electricity to you.
- If a wire falls on your car, call 911 and stay in the vehicle until help arrives and the power is shut off. The tires on your car can act as an insulator.
- If a person or animal is in contact with electricity, stay back and call 911 and PNM. DO NOT attempt to help them or touch them because you could get hurt.
- If a line is down on your property, keep children and pets away, call PNM and wait until they arrive to make the scene safe and restore power.
Download the KOAT App to receive customized alerts and track the weather for your location. You can watch our team coverage on the app, too.
