PG&E shuts off power for thousands in Northern California due to high winds
Tens of thousands of PG&E customers are in the dark as critical fire danger weather moves into Northern and Central California.
The scope of the power shutoffs was reduced from what it was originally supposed to be earlier in the week after a light weather system brought some showers on Wednesday. PG&E says this system boosted dead fuel moisture values and relative humidity to the Northern and Central Sierra Nevada region.
Strong winds and low humidity have been the major concerns following that system. A Red Flag Warning will be in effect for the Sacramento Valley and Bay Area from Thursday night through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
🌬Windstorm! Get ready for the first windstorm of the season with gusts closing in on 60mph in #Fairfield Friday morning
— Jeff Harrington (@JHarringtonTV) October 17, 2024
➡@CBSSacramento reporter @tori_apodaca will be covering from #Solano county
➡Winds start cranking up later this afternoon, roaring while you're sleeping… pic.twitter.com/iSAIUw8wCt
The counties that could be affected by the shutoffs are different by the day, PG&E shows on its PSPS website.
Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, San Luis Obispo, Sierra, and Tuolumne were originally named as counties that could possibly see shutoffs, but those counties have now been removed from the alert.
In total, PG&E says about 20,000 customers could be affected by shutoffs.
Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19 shutoffs required
The number of customers possibly impacted will follow the county.
Alameda (28), Butte (648), Colusa (605), Contra Costa (805), Fresno (1,151), Glenn (511), Lake (168), Madera (2,901), Mariposa (640), Mendocino (10), Merced (27), Monterey (576), Napa (649), Plumas (658), Santa Barbara (106), Shasta (1,417), Solano (2,467), Sonoma (707), Stanislaus (27), Tehama (2,872), and Yolo (262).
Earlier in the week, PG&E listed Sunday, Oct. 20 as having a possible power shutoff. That day is now listed as having no PSPS planned.
How to prepare for a power outage
PG&E is urging people in the alert counties to take the following steps to prepare for the shutoffs.
-Charging devices and backup batteries.
-Stocking up on non-perishable food and water.
-Having flashlights and emergency supplies ready.
As with previous Public Safety Power Shutoffs, it could take some time for crews to reenergize the lines after the fire danger weather has passed.