TNMP urges customers to prepare for winter storms

Over 270,000 customers depend on Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) for electricity, and we are proud to deliver reliable power to our customers. However, sometimes power outages do occur, and with winter weather likely to affect the TNMP service territory, proper planning and safety tips can help keep customers and TNMP employees safe.

• During winter, it’s a good idea to enhance your outage kit with winter items like rock salt, firewood or other heating fuels, snow removal tools, coats, hats, gloves, and blankets. Your kit should already contain items like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, a first aid kit, a small radio, and batteries.
• Be sure that all members of your household, including anyone who may need medication or medical devices, children and/or pets are provided for when preparing your outage kit.
• Snow and ice accumulations on overhead power lines can cause the lines to break and fall to the ground. Do not touch downed or sagging power lines, and consider them, and anything touching them, energized and dangerous. Stay as far away as possible and immediately contact 911.
• 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.
• For additional safety tips, Severe Weather Planning | TNMP.

TNMP crews are always ready to respond, and we keep a close eye on the weather. TNMP crews across our service territory are always prepared, and contract crews will be on standby ready to respond in the case that additional manpower is needed.

Understanding how power is restored:

During an outage and/or storm, our crews’ priority is to make sure the scene is safe, assess the damage, and then start the restoration efforts. In the case of a major, widespread storm, this assessment may take a while. The information they gather helps us plan our work.

In an outage, addressing hazardous situations such as downed wires are the priority. We also prioritize repairs that restore service to critical facilities such as hospitals, water pumping stations, and police and fire departments.

In areas of the state that are prone to severe winter weather, having an alternate means of warming your residence, and extra food and water is important. Snow and mud may prevent us from quickly reestablishing service, especially in remote areas.

As crews work to restore power to all customers, you may see your neighbor’s lights on, while your location remains in the dark. Different parts of a neighborhood may be on different circuits, and not all circuits are restored at one time. Sometimes, a problem only affects service to your home.

Power outages can be reported by clicking the “Report Outage” button at the top left of our outage map: TNMP Stormcenter.

To stay up to date on outages affecting your area, sign up for alerts here: Outage Notifications | TNMP.

TNMP is a transmission and distribution service provider that delivers power to more than 270,000 homes and businesses on behalf of retail electric providers in Texas. More information is available at tnmp.com/about-us.

Media Contact:
Sara Yingling