New Norm In Amarillo, Texas; Preparing For Public Safety Power Shutoffs

Before this year, I doubt anyone in Amarillo, Texas, knew what a PSPS was. It has nothing to do with video games, and it isn't the sound that you make when you're pretending to whisper. It's what is going to make power outages feel like a rollercoaster ride in 2025.

What Is A PSPS And Why Do You Keep Hearing About Them

A PSPS is a "Public Safety Power Shutoff." It's something that Xcel Energy is now doing when weather turns particularly nasty in the Texas panhandle. They're used to help keep the public safe and mitigate wildfire danger due to extreme weather conditions. You can't be upset with their reasons.

READ MORE: Extreme Winds Cause Chaos Across The Texas Panhandle

For instance, there was the recent wind storm we had in the Texas panhandle. It was terrifying, with billboards being ripped up, poles snapping, trees being uprooted, and fences being blown over. During this extremely high wind event, Xcel Energy used a PSPS in certain areas.

In the event that they activate a PSPS, customers that will be affected are contacted ahead of time. If possible, it will be in enough time that those customers will be able to prepare for being without power.

Get Ready For The PSPS Rollercoaster Ride In 2025

It's going to feel a bit like a rollercoaster ride regarding the PSPS this year. We've already seen several news stories and alerts about Xcel using a PSPS. This week, we've seen an announcement that they were considering another one.

Then, a day later, we found out that they wouldn't be using a PSPS on Tuesday. While we are supposed to be having some strong winds, Xcel announced that they don't expect it to meet the criteria needed for a PSPS. See what I mean when I say rollercoaster ride?

Get our free mobile app

The best way to deal with the PSPS is to keep up with Xcel Energy. You can follow them on social media for the latest information and also keep an eye on their website devoted solely to the PSPS. I highly recommend it. We all know how windy it can get and how often the weather changes in the Texas panhandle.