HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 01-27 Xcel customers lose power overnight; others cope with pipeline rupture STAR TRIBUNE *StarTribune
Xcel customers lose power overnight;
others cope with pipeline rupture
Article by:Susan Hogan
Star Tribune t .,
January 27,2014-5:57 AM
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As temperatures plummeted into the subzero teens early Monday,
dozens of Twin Cities customers suffered power outages,
according to the Xcel Energy website. '
More than 50 Maplewood customers lost power about 1:30 a.m., w-
while a handful of customers in Minneapolis,Richfield,Shorewood High winds and low temperatures and blowing snow made
and Vadnais Heights were hit after 3 a.m.In each instance,Xcel outdoor sobs yea dangerous for the unprepared Sunday.
January 2u,2014.A snowman on Lake Harriet In Mmneapobs
said restoration could take as long as four hours. Sunday afternoon.Blowing snow at times obscured the far
shore.
As of 4 a.m.Monday,the wind chill index across the Twin Cities Jeff VLtteeier,Star Tribune
hovered near 40 below.Temperatures ranged from 11 below to 15
below,and continued to fall.
But overnight comfort levels were far worse for Xcel's customers in northern Minnesota,North Dakota and Wisconsin
because of Saturday's pipeline rupture In Canada,just south of Winnipeg.
After the incident,Xcel asked customers in the affected areas to lower thermostats to 60 so that services could be maintained
until a new supply of natural gas was delivered.
Late Sunday,Xcel issued a statement saying it anticipated services in those would reach full capacity sometime on Monday.
"We know your houses are uncomfortably cold,but we want you and your neighbors to know that your efforts have helped us
maintain service to more than 100,000 customers,"the statement said."We ask you not to let up now."
SUSAN HOGAN I fttStribNightOwl
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