Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Thousands Without Power in the Southeast Metro

No time yet given for restoration of power to homes in Mendota Heights.

UPDATED 9:26 a.m. 6/21/13: This morning, Xcel energy released the following statement on last night's storms:

A severe band of thunderstorms moved through Minnesota early Friday morning, June 21. The storm caused significant damage to our electric system, including a number of downed poles and power lines. Outages are scattered throughout the state, with approximately 130,000 customers without power at this time. We are currently assessing the damages and no restoration time is yet available. Additional crews from the North and South Dakota and other utilities have been coordinated to assist with restoration efforts. Please stay away from downed power lines and always assume a downed wire is energized and therefore dangerous. Report downed power lines to Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-1999 or call 9-1-1.
According to the power company's online outage map, at least 219 Xcel customers are still without power in Mendota Heights, with no firm prediction as to when electricity service will be restored.

Original Story:
Just after 4 a.m. on Friday, a thunderstorm plunged thousands of homes in Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake, Mendota, Inver Grove Heights, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul into darkness.

According to Xcel Energy's outage map, at least 2,391 homes are effected across the region, and possibly many more. Power is expected to be restored to some homes as early as 8 a.m., but others may have to wait much longer as Xcel crews assess the damage.

At least 51 Xcel customers in Mendota Heights were impacted, and the power company has not yet given an estimated time by which service will be restored.


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