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PGE warns of massive power outages during impending ‘wind event’

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Sonoma Valley Sun

Based on a forecast of high winds on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 9-10, PG&E may begin implementing a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) to more than 600,000 customers across portions of nearly 30 northern, central, coastal and Bay Area counties.

PG&E anticipates a “significant wind event” will occur from early Wednesday morning and last through Thursday midday. It would take several days to fully restore power in the event of any PSPS shutdown, a spokesperson said.

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 networked across cities, counties and regions.

“This is shaping up to be one of the most severe dry wind events we’ve seen in our territory in recent years and we want our customers to be prepared for an extended outage that may last several days,” said Michael Lewis, a PG&E senior vice president.

“We are working directly with state and local agencies to help prepare our customers and the public for this safety event,” Lewis said. “We want our customers to be aware that, based on this number, it could take several days to fully restore power after the weather passes and safety inspections are completed.”




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