Power Outage Hits 40,000 PG&E Customers in San Francisco Area
On Saturday, significant power outages impacted thousands of PG&E customers across the San Francisco area. The outage began around 9:40 a.m. in the Inner Sunset neighborhood, initially affecting approximately 14,700 residents.
Power Outage Details
By 10:10 a.m., the situation worsened, with the number of affected customers escalating to about 25,000. Areas impacted included:
- Richmond District
- Presidio
- Golden Gate Park
- Inner Sunset District
- Civic Center
As the afternoon progressed, PG&E crews began assessing the issue at around 2 p.m. The utility company projected that power restoration efforts would complete by 3:45 p.m. for most customers, with full restoration expected by 7:15 p.m.
Public Safety Recommendations
Due to the outage, the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management issued guidance for residents. They urged the public to treat non-functioning traffic signals as four-way stops to ensure safety on the roads.
Citizens were also reminded not to use 911 for reporting power outages, unless life-threatening emergencies arose. This was to keep emergency lines available for urgent situations.
Potential Weather Complications
Rain was forecasted for Saturday night, with wind gusts reaching up to 25 mph. These weather conditions were expected to persist through the following Friday, potentially impacting recovery efforts.
BART Service Disruptions
The outages also affected BART services, specifically closing the Powell Street and Civic Center stations on the San Francisco Line. Riders were advised to check updates and plan alternative routes.
PG&E is currently investigating the cause of the outages, with updates expected as the situation develops. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels as recovery progresses.
