PG&E restores power to nearly all customers affected by shutoffs
See interactive map of PSPS area below
See interactive map of PSPS area below
See interactive map of PSPS area below
Most PG&E customers who had their electricity turned off due to windy conditions have had their power restored, the utility said Monday night.
The utility company said its meteorology team issued an "all clear," Monday morning for its Public Safety Power Shutoffs, which means the weather is favorable to begin inspecting power lines and re-energizing areas not damaged or at risk of causing a fire. There were 1,700 ground personnel and 50 helicopters assigned to re-energizing customers affected by the power shutoffs, PG&E said.
Due to the Glass and Zogg fires, about 24,000 PG&E customers are without power, but the shutoff is unrelated to the PSPS, officials said.
The utility said crews found at least 13 instances of weather-related damage and hazards in the affected areas.
Initially, PG&E estimated that 89,000 customers would be affected by the shutoffs. On Sunday, that number was reduced to 65,000 due to better-than-expected weather conditions.
Power was shut off in two phases Sunday. The first wave of 11,000 customers had their power shut off Sunday morning. The second wave, affecting 54,000 customers, started in the afternoon. The shutoffs are impacting customers in portions of 16 counties.
"The anticipated scope and timing of this event has changed from earlier announcements, based on updated weather forecasts that showed stronger wind gusts in a larger portion of PG&E’s service area," PG&E said in the statement. "PG&E’s in-house meteorologists, as well as its Wildfire Safety Operation Center and Emergency Operations Center, continue to monitor conditions closely and additional notifications will be made today to customers who may be impacted by this event."
(Can't see the map below? Tap here)
The utility also created an address lookup tool for customers to see if they will be impacted by the power shutoffs. See the tool here.
PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoff program is designed to reduce the threat of wildfires that could be sparked by power lines brought down in gusting winds.
PG&E opened community resources centers in areas impacted by the PSPS. See the full list of open resource centers here.
This is a developing story. Stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.