Emergency alert: ⚠️ Public Safety Power Shutoff UPDATE from PGE

South San Francisco, CA  October 16, 2019 Submitted by PGE

Public Safety Power Shutoff: Power to be shut off for safety in 6 zones starting today. Address look-up tool www.pge.com/eventmaps ⚠️

{UPDATE FROM CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO 2:15pm Sat Oct 26:

PLEASE NOTE: The Main Library on West Orange Avenue is open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, providing those without power a free public place to charge phones, enjoy air conditioning, and, of course, read books with the lights on!}

{UPDATE FROM SMC ALERT SYSTEM 2:11pm Today; The most recently updated and current schedule for the PG&E Public Safety Power Shut-Off in San Mateo County will begin at 5:00 PM today, Saturday the 26th of October.  It is projected to extend to early Monday morning, October 28th.   Restoration of power may take many hours and may extend through most of Monday. PG&E restoration inspections may include, but are not limited to, low-flying helicopters, drones, and ground crews. For the latest electrical power outage information go to: www.pgecurrents.com – San Mateo County OES }

• Public Safety Power Shutoff This Week to Impact Portions of 36 Counties Beginning Saturday Afternoon
• Potential PSPS Impact Expands by 90,000 Customers: Total projected impact now 940,000
• Power to be shut off for safety in 6 zones starting @ approx 2PM today (weather dependent)
• Historic Wind Event Forecast to Cause Dangerous Conditions Until Midday Monday
• Look up your address to confirm if you’ll be impacted: www.pge.com/eventmaps

Due to weather forecasts indicating potential for a historic wind event this weekend, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) confirmed it will implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) affecting approximately 940,000 customers—an increase of 90,000 from previous estimates—in portions of 36 counties. Widespread dry, hot and windy weather is expected to begin impacting the service area today between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. and lasting until midday Monday.

As this weather system sweeps from north to south over a period of two to three days, PG&E customers across Northern and Central California will feel the effects of hot, dry winds at different times, which means outage times will vary as well.

☑ Oct. 26 PSPS event – Power Will Be Turned Off in Phases

The times below are estimates and may change (earlier or later) dependent on weather.

Phase 1 — 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in portions of Amador, Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Joaquin, Sierra, Siskiyou, Shasta, Tehama and Yuba counties

Phase 2 — 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in portions of Lake, Marin, Mendocino (south), Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties

Phase 3 — 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in portions of Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Stanislaus counties

Phase 4 — 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in portions of Alpine, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne counties

Phase 5 — 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in portions of Humboldt, Mendocino (north) and Trinity counties

Phase 6 — 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 27 in portions of Kern County

The power will be turned off to communities in stages, depending on local timing of the severe wind conditions.

☑ Customer Notifications and Impact

In most cases, the company has notified potentially impacted customers at 48 hours, 24 hours and just before the de-energization. However, customers not impacted by the PSPS may experience power outages due to PG&E equipment damaged during this major wind event. Those customers will not be notified in advance.

It is very possible customers may be affected by a power shutoff even though they are not experiencing extreme weather conditions in their specific location. This is because the electric system relies on power lines working together to provide electricity across cities, counties and regions.

☑ Estimated time of restoration

Predictive data models indicate the weather event could be the most powerful to hit California in decades, with widespread dry northeast winds between 45-60 mph and peak gusts of 60-70 mph in the higher elevations.

Winds of this magnitude pose a higher risk of damage and sparks on the electric system and rapid wildfire spread. The fire risk is even higher because vegetation on the ground has been dried out by recent wind events.

Before restoring power, PG&E must inspect its equipment for damage and make any necessary repairs. That process cannot begin until the severe weather event has subsided.

Given the prolonged period during which the wind event will unfold, and the large number of power line miles that will need to be inspected before restoration, customers are being asked to prepare for an extended outage of at least two days once the severe weather has passed.

PG&E will work with state and local agencies to provide updated restoration timelines following the conclusion of the severe weather event.

☑ Customer Resources

PG&E has opened 56 Community Resource Centers in areas where power will be shut off, and we are looking to add more. These centers will remain open in impacted areas throughout the PSPS to provide water, phone charging stations, air-conditioned seating and restrooms. To view the current list: www.pge.com/pspsupdates

During the PSPS, customers in impacted areas will not be billed. PG&E has paused disconnection and collection activities in these areas.

Given the forecast and conditions, PG&E is advising its customers of the potential for a widespread PSPS lasting several days, intended to prevent a catastrophic wildfire. PG&E’s Safety Action Center is a great information resource for making sure that you, your family, your neighborhood and even your pets are prepared before an emergency: www.safetyactioncenter.pge.com/

As this intense weather event approaches the service area, PG&E’s forecasts will offer sharper detail, noting that the scope may continue to change on the number of customers who will be affected. Find updates, resources and more information about how a PSPS works at: www.pge.com/pspsupdates

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