October 8, 2019 – As a precautionary measure to reduce wildfire risk during the forecasted severe wind event, PG&E confirmed that it will implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in portions of 34 northern, central and coastal counties, affecting electric service for nearly 800,000 customers.
PG&E expects to begin turning off power in some areas early Wednesday, just after midnight. The power will be turned off to communities in stages, depending on local timing of the severe wind conditions, beginning with counties in the northern part of the state.
“The safety of our customers and the communities we serve is our most important responsibility, which is why PG&E has decided to turn power off to customers during this widespread, severe wind event. We understand the effects this event will have on our customers and appreciate the public’s patience as we do what is necessary to keep our communities safe and reduce the risk of wildfire,” said Michael Lewis, PG&E’s senior vice president of Electric Operations.
Customer notifications and impact
The company has been notifying potentially impacted customers and will continue to do so, via automated calls, texts and emails. 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 that 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.
Portions of Kern, Humboldt, Trinity and Marin counties have been added to the potential scope of this PSPS, in addition to the 30 counties identified Monday. Customers can find the full list of impacted counties, cities and communities at www.pge.com/pspsupdates.
Estimated time of restoration
Overall, based on the latest weather forecasts and models, PG&E anticipates that this weather event will last through midday Thursday, with peak winds forecasted from Wednesday morning through Thursday morning and reaching 40 to 55 mph, with isolated gusts up to 60 to 70 mph.
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.
PG&E will work with state and local agencies to provide updated restoration timelines following the conclusion of the severe weather event.
Community Resource Centers
To support customers in the affected areas, PG&E will open Community Resource Centers in several locations beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 8 a.m. The centers will remain open during daylight hours only. Restrooms, bottled water, electronic-device charging and air-conditioned seating for up to 100 will be available at these facilities.
Centers will be opened at the locations below:
| County | City | Location |
| Butte | Oroville | Bird Street School, 1421 Bird St, Oroville 95965 |
| Butte | Magalia | 14144 Lakeridge Court, Magalia 95954 |
| El Dorado | Placerville | El Dorado Fairgrounds 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville 95667 |
| Lake | Clear Lake | Clearlake Senior Center 3245 Bowers Avenue, Clearlake 95422 |
| Napa | Napa | 1001 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo 94589 |
| Napa | Calistoga | Calistoga Fairgrounds – 1601 N. Oak Calistoga 94515 |
| Santa Clara | San Jose | Avaya Stadium 1123 Coleman Avenue, San Jose 95110 |
| Nevada | Grass Valley | Sierra College Grass Valley 250 Sierra College Drive, Grass Valley 95945 |
| Contra Costa | San Ramon | Bishop Ranch Parking Lot – 2600 Camino Ramon, San Ramon 94583 |
| Calaveras | Arnold | Meadowmont Shopping Center – 2182 HWY 4, Arnold 95223 |
| San Mateo | Half Moon Bay | Pasta Moon Restaurant, 845 Main St Half Moon Bay 94019 |
| Placer | Auburn | Gold Country Fairgrounds 1273 High Street Auburn 95603 |
| Shasta, Tehama | Redding, Cottonwood, Red Bluff | Shasta College, 11555 Old Oregon Trail Redding 96003 |
| Solano | Vacaville | Mission Church 6391 Leisure Town Road, Vacaville 95687 |
| Sonoma | Santa Rosa, Sonoma | Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa 95404 |
| Alameda | Oakland | Merritt College LOT B – Leona St., Oakland 94508 |
| Tuolumne | Sonora | Mother Lode Fairgrounds 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora 95370 |
| Santa Cruz | Aptos | Twin Lakes Church 2701 Cabrillo College Dr, Aptos 95003 |
| Amador | Pioneer | Mace Meadows Golf Course, 26570 Fairway Drive Pioneer 95666 |
| Mendocino | Ukiah | 1775 N. State Street, Ukiah 95482 |
| Yolo | Winters | Next to PG&E Gas Academy – Intersection of E. Grant Avenue & Timber Crest Road, Winters 95694 |
| Colusa, Glenn | Williams, Orland | 839 Newville Road, Orland 95963 |
| Mariposa | Coulterville | Coulterville Fire Dept – 10293 Ferry Road, Coulterville 95311 |
| Sierra | Sierra City | Loganville Campground parking lot – HWY 49, Sierra City 96125 |
| Stanislaus | Westley | Westley Hotel – 8615 CA-33, Westley 95387 |
| Plumas | La Porte | 2140 Main St. La Porte 95981 |
| El Dorado | El Dorado Hills | Rolling Hills Christian Church 800 White Rock Road, El Dorado Hills 95762 |
| Yuba | Oregon House | 9185 Marysville Road, Oregon House 95962 |