PG&E Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is open and the company’s meteorologists are monitoring the situation. In addition to the potential for a PSPS event in parts of PG&E service area, strong and gusty winds may cause flying debris and vegetation which can impact power lines and cause additional outages.
Forecasts show high fire-risk conditions arriving Monday evening in the southern portion of PG&E’s service area, with high winds expected to subside by Wednesday morning. Before any restoration begins, PG&E will inspect de-energized lines to ensure they were not damaged by high winds. PG&E will restore power safely and as quickly as possible once the weather all-clear is given.
There is still uncertainty regarding the strength and timing of this weather wind event, which PG&E is carefully monitoring.
Potential for Small, Targeted Public Safety Power Shutoff: What People Should Know
The potential PSPS event is still two days away. PG&E in-house meteorologists as well as staff in its Wildfire Safety Operations Center and Emergency Operations Center continue to monitor conditions. PG&E will send additional customer notifications as we move closer to the potential event.
Customer notifications—via text, email and automated phone call—began this afternoon, two days prior to the potential shutoff. When possible, PG&E employees will knock on the doors of customers enrolled in the company’s Medical Baseline program who do not verify that they have received these important safety messages. Those visits will focus on customers who rely on electricity for critical life-sustaining equipment.
Customers by county who could potentially be affected by this PSPS event
- Calaveras County: 5,291 customers, 183 Medical Baseline customers
- Fresno County: 2,220 customers, 139 Medical Baseline customers
- Kern County: 762 customers, 39 Medical Baseline customers
- Madera County: 289 customers, 20 Medical Baseline customers
- Mariposa County: 2,532 customers, 163 Medical Baseline customers
- San Luis Obispo County: 2 customers, 0 Medical Baseline customers
- Santa Barbara County: 621 customers, 18 Medical Baseline customers
- Tulare County: 435 customers, 8 Medical Baseline customers
- Tuolumne County: 9,734 customers, 554 Medical Baseline customers
PSPS Not Likely for Bay Area Counties
Due to recent rains, relatively high humidity levels and the lack of any Red Flag Warnings in the Bay Area, PG&E does not anticipate the need for a Public Safety Power Shutoff in any Bay Area counties during this weather event.
Potential for Wind Damage Across PG&E’s Service Area
The offshore weather event is expected to produce damage-producing winds across much of California beginning Sunday and extending into early next week. While there may not be a PSPS in many areas due to recent rainfall in the northern parts of PG&E’s service area, there could be wires down and outages due to flying debris and vegetation.
If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it—and keep children and animals away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 911 and by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.