Customers impacted by PG&E's planned outages close to being fully restored
High winds cut off power for thousands in Bay Area
High winds cut off power for thousands in Bay Area.
SANTA ROSA, Calif. - More than 13,000 customers in the Bay Area were without power early Monday morning as strong winds triggered outages and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. carried out wildfire-prevention shutoffs across parts of Northern and Central California.
By Monday evening, the utility shared updated numbers that showed things had improved. A total of 4,549 Bay Area customers remained without power in PG&E's 6 p.m. update. The bulk of outages were concentrated in the South Bay, where 2,963 customers did not have power.
Power out
By the numbers:
PG&E said that at 5 a.m., 13,518 Bay Area customers were without electricity, including 6,696 in the North Bay, where wind gusts reached up to 70 mph. The South Bay had 4,017 outages, while the East Bay reported 2,517.
In the 6 p.m. update, 554 customers were without power in the North Bay, 707 in the East Bay, 130 in San Francisco, 195 in the Peninsula and the aforementioned 2,963 in the South Bay.
In the early morning, the power company said about 4,700 customers in 15 counties were affected by planned "Public Safety Power Shutoffs," which is the utility's description of cutting off power to customers as an attempt to reduce wildfire risk.
In the 6 p.m. update, the PSPS shutoffs were close to being fully restored. Only three customers were still without power in Napa County.
PG&E urged residents to stay away from downed power lines, use flashlights instead of candles during outages and safely operate generators in ventilated areas.