A widespread El Paso Electric power outage disrupted service across the Borderland on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, as heavy rain and severe weather affected the region and crews responded to multiple electrical emergencies.
The disruption was particularly significant in Canutillo, where live electrical wires came down and forced authorities to close several streets while El Paso Electric crews worked at the scene.
The outage situation later expanded across the utility’s wider service territory. By approximately 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, nearly 18,000 El Paso Electric customers were without power, according to the utility’s outage map as reported by KFOX14/CBS4. The map showed 49 outages across the Borderland, with an estimated restoration time of 7:45 p.m. at that point.
Downed Power Lines Trigger Canutillo Street Closures
One of the most serious localized incidents occurred in Canutillo during the early morning hours.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office closed Second, Third and Fourth streets at La Mesa Street after electrical wires came down in the area.
At approximately 12:33 a.m., El Paso Electric’s outage map showed about 3,603 customers without electricity in the affected area. Utility crews were dispatched to deal with the electrical hazard and begin clearing the scene.
Authorities did not initially provide a time for when the affected streets would reopen.
Drivers were advised to avoid the blocked roads and use alternative routes while crews worked around the downed wires.
Heavy Rain Adds Pressure to the Electrical System
The outages occurred as heavy rain moved through the El Paso area and surrounding Borderland.
The weather system has also brought concerns about flash flooding, with officials responding to several weather-related hazards across the region.
The relationship between individual electrical failures and specific weather conditions can vary from location to location. However, the timing of Tuesday’s widespread outages coincided with the period of heavy rainfall affecting the area.
Earlier this month, El Paso Electric also reported weather-related outages during another storm. On September 16, the utility said thousands of customers were affected by lightning and torrential rainfall as severe weather moved through El Paso and Las Cruces.
Thousands Remain Without Power Across the Borderland
The Canutillo outage represented only part of Tuesday’s broader disruption.
By mid-afternoon, El Paso Electric’s outage map showed 17,759 customers without electricity across the service area, with 49 separate outages reported.
The estimated restoration time shown on the map was approximately 7:45 p.m., although restoration times can change depending on weather conditions, damage assessments and the work required to safely repair electrical infrastructure.
Residents experiencing an outage may therefore see different restoration estimates depending on their location.
Crews Work to Restore Electricity
El Paso Electric crews were responding to the outages while weather conditions continued to affect the region.
The utility explains that its restoration process begins when an outage is reported and dispatch personnel coordinate the response. Linemen then assess the affected infrastructure and determine what equipment and additional crews may be required.
For larger outages involving transmission lines or substations, specialized crews can also be deployed.
Restoration work can be complicated when severe weather remains active because crews must be able to safely access damaged equipment before repairs can proceed.
Downed Wires Create Additional Safety Risks
The presence of downed electrical wires makes some outage locations particularly dangerous.
El Paso Electric warns that people should never approach a fallen power line, even when the wire does not appear to be sparking. A downed line should be treated as energized until utility personnel determine otherwise.
Residents who encounter fallen wires should keep a safe distance and warn others to stay away from the area.
Anyone facing an immediate danger should contact emergency services.
What Residents Should Do During the Outage
People affected by the El Paso Electric outage are advised to take basic precautions while waiting for service to return.
Residents should:
- Stay away from fallen electrical wires.
- Avoid areas where utility crews are working.
- Follow road closures and directions from law enforcement.
- Keep flashlights available if electricity is unavailable after dark.
- Check official outage information for restoration updates.
- Report outages through El Paso Electric’s designated reporting channels.
- Call 911 if a downed line creates an immediate danger.
El Paso Electric lists 915-877-3400 for outage reports in Texas and 575-523-7591 for New Mexico.
El Paso Power Outage Today: Key Information
| Detail | Latest Information |
|---|---|
| Date | September 29, 2026 |
| Utility | El Paso Electric |
| Affected region | El Paso and surrounding Borderland |
| Major localized incident | Downed electrical wires in Canutillo |
| Canutillo outage count | About 3,603 customers early Tuesday |
| Broader outage count | Nearly 17,800 customers by mid-afternoon |
| Reported outages | 49 across the Borderland at the afternoon update |
| Primary weather concern | Heavy rain and severe weather |
| Street closures | Second, Third and Fourth streets at La Mesa Street |
| Restoration | Crews actively responding; estimates subject to change |
Restoration Efforts Remain Ongoing
The number of customers without electricity can change rapidly as individual outages are repaired and new weather-related failures occur.
The afternoon outage figure of nearly 18,000 customers therefore represents a snapshot rather than a final total for the day. El Paso Electric’s outage map remains the appropriate source for customers seeking location-specific restoration information.
Meanwhile, crews continue working through the weather-related disruptions, while authorities are urging residents to remain cautious around flooded areas, blocked roads and electrical hazards.
Latest Update
The El Paso Electric power outage affecting thousands of customers on September 29 comes amid a period of heavy rain and severe weather across the Borderland.
Downed electrical wires caused street closures in Canutillo early Tuesday, while the broader utility territory later recorded nearly 18,000 customers without power.
Residents should avoid downed wires, follow local road restrictions and monitor official utility information as restoration work continues.
Disclaimer
This article is based on preliminary and developing information from El Paso Electric, local authorities and local news reports. Outage totals, restoration estimates, affected locations and weather conditions can change rapidly. Readers should consult official utility and emergency-management updates for the latest information affecting their specific location.