PG&E issues power outage warning ahead of windy, dry conditions

SHASTA COUNTY, CA — PG&E began shutting off power to customers in Shasta and Butte counties as part of a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event Monday morning.

The PSPS event is scheduled to begin between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. on September 30 and end at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1.

PG&E said forecasted high winds increase the fire risk from the Sacramento Valley and surrounding foothills to the North Bay high ground, forcing it to cut power to high-risk areas to help prevent a forest fire.

As of 11 a.m., 9,444 customers had lost power, including 7,988 in Shasta County, 415 in Butte County and the remaining 1,041 in parts of Glenn, Tehama, Colusa and Lake counties.

Shortly after 6 a.m., an hour after PSPS began, only 823 customers in Shasta County and 415 in Butte County had lost power.

Grant Elementary School in West Redding was an area under warning for PSPS; the school preemptively imposed a modified minimum day on Monday on students.

As of Sunday evening, PG&E expected PSPS to impact approximately 12,365 customers in 11 counties and two tribal areas:

• Alameda 57
• Hill 415
• Colusa 545
• Contra Costa 286
• Glenn 555
• Humboldt123
• Napa 140
• Shasta 7,982
• Sonoma 11
• Tehama 1,986
• Trinity 265
• Glenstone Rancheria 44
• Pit River Tribes 6

PG&E said restoration time may change depending on weather conditions and property damage and recommends all customers plan for an extended outage. The utility says it will provide daily updates until the weather risk has passed or power is restored.

PG&E gave a 4 p.m. PSPS update stating that due to improved weather forecast models, nearly 3,000 customers in Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Humboldt, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Tehama and Trinity were removed from the scope of Monday’s PSPS. Customers removed from PSPS were contacted directly by PG&E and informed of the change.

At 1:45 p.m., patrols began assessing damage, making repairs, and preparing to restore power safely and as quickly as possible to all customers affected by this morning’s PSPS. PG&E said all customers affected by the PSPS can expect their power to be restored by Monday evening.

PG&E said it continues to monitor weather conditions and that a second wave of wind this evening could result in power outages for approximately 400 Butte County customers who had a power outage this morning and are currently to restore power. PG&E said it will contact customers and communicate for any PSPS changes.

If you’re a customer affected by an outage, PG&E hosts resource centers with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, bottled water, device charging, and more.

BUTTE COUNTY

Concow, Concow Elementary School, 11679 Nelson Bar Rd., September. 30 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

COLUSA COUNTY

Stonyford, Stonyford Community Hall, 229 Market Street, September 30, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

GLENN COUNTY

Elk Creek, Elk Creek Junior Senior High School, 3430 Co Rd 309, September 30 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Orland, Orland Shopping Center, 1016 South St, September 30 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

SHASTA COUNTY

Anderson, Frontier Senior Center, 2081 Frontier Trail, September 30, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Redding, Dignity Health Mercy Oaks, 100 Mercy Oaks Dr., September 30, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Round Mountain, Hill County Health and Wellness Center, 29632 CA-299, September 30, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

TÉHAMA COUNTY

Corning, Rancho Tehama Association, 17605 Park Terrace Rd., September 30 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Mineral, Lassen Mineral Lodge, 18961 Husky Way, September 30 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

TRINITY COUNTY

Mad River, Southern Trinity High School, 600 Van Duzen Rd, September 30 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

To see the full list of areas affected by the power outage, you can visit the PG&E outage center map here.