Milder weather than expected is allowing PG&E to restore power to some East Bay customers earlier than previously planned as part of its planned shutoffs, a spokesperson for the utility company said Thursday.
However, dry and windy weather in higher elevations of the North Bay prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Red Flag Warning for the interior mountains that will be in effect from 10 p.m. Thursday through 11 a.m. Friday, and thousands of PG&E customers in the region are still affected by the utility’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian said about 6,300 customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties received notifications that they should be giving the all-clear and begin patrols of their equipment by noon Friday and restoring power by 4 p.m. that day, about 22 hours earlier than originally planned.
Sarkissian said the change was “due to favorable changes in the weather,” following forecasts of dry and windy weather that prompted PG&E to implement proactive power shutoffs for about 90,000 customers across 29 counties starting Wednesday evening and possibly lasting into Saturday to avoid its equipment from sparking wildfires.
The forecast for the North Bay’s higher elevations includes low humidity and wind gusts of up to 60 mph at the highest peaks, prompting the Red Flag Alert through Friday morning. The National Weather Service advised people to use fire safety precautions, keep an emergency kit ready, to listen to local officials and heed any evacuation instructions.
People can visit pge.com/pspsupdates to find out if their location is affected by the power shutoffs.
PG&E has opened community resource centers in affected areas that offer restrooms, device charging, Wi-Fi, bottled water and snacks, and other supplies. A list of the centers by county can be found at pge.com.
PG&E is also encouraging customers who may need additional support to contact 211, including those who rely on power for medical needs or who have a disability.
