Outages: What you need to know
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. began to preemptively cut power Wednesday across 34 counties in Northern California and central and coastal areas in an effort to prevent power lines from sparking wildfires during dry and windy weather. An estimated 750,000 homes and businesses were expected to lose power. Here’s what you need to know about PG&E’s power shut-off:
What counties were to be affected?
Portions of Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Kern, Lake, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba counties are losing electricity, PG&E said.
How long could a power shutoff last?
PG&E cautioned that its workers may need up to five days, after the dangerous weather passes, to inspect lines for damage and restore all power. How does PG&E decide whether
to issue a shut-off?
Before doing a shut-off, PG&E considers whether red-flag fire danger warnings have been issued. Humidity levels must generally be below 20% and high winds need to be above 25 mph with gusts in excess of 45 mph. Officials also consider the amount of dry fuel, like fallen branches on the ground, the moisture content of vegetation, and observations from PG&E field crews and meteorologists.
How should I prepare for a power outage?
Public safety and PG&E officials advise residents to prepare for life without electricity by:
Keeping phones and other electronics charged while also having backup charging methods available.
Building or replenishing emergency kits that include flashlights, spare batteries, a first-aid kit, emergency food and water, and cash.
Learning how to manually open your garage door.
Unplugging electrical appliances to avoid overloading circuits and preventing fire hazards when power is restored. 1
Storing drinking water — two gallons per day per person and more for pets, as water delivery services could be affected by a shut-down.
Can solar panels spare me from a power shut-off?
Customers with solar systems are still connected to the PG&E power grid, so if PG&E cuts off the power for safety, their power gets shut off automatically. People who have a home battery paired with their solar system might have power saved up and be spared from the outage.
Should I buy a generator?
Generators can be a helpful but expensive solution to a temporary problem. They can run anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to as much as $14,000. Don’t try to install your own generator if you aren’t an expert. The do-it-yourself dangers outweigh the savings benefit.
It’s not windy in my area. Why is my power still cut?
A long-distance power line that delivers electricity to you may pass through a location where it’s very windy, according to PG&E, which is turning off some of these high-voltage lines, known as transmission lines.
Will my cell phone still work?
Cell phone carriers said service should still work during shutoffs. Most cell phone towers have backup generators.
What should I do with food in my refrigerator?
Officials advise people to keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible during outages. Refrigerators can safely store food — and keep items cold — for about four hours. Freezers can keep their temperature for about two days if unopened.
How can I get updates if I’m not a PG&E account holder?
PG&E has an alert system that notifies non-account holders of power outages in a specific area. Company officials said they will try to alert people 48 hours, 24 hours and just before power outages. To sign up, visit pge.com/pspszipcodealerts.