A series of power outages swept across California on Friday evening, affecting thousands of residents, particularly around Sacramento and Fresno. According to reports from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), at peak times, more than 15,500 customers were without electricity due to unknown circumstances, leading to significant efforts from local utility companies to restore power.
The outages, which were initially reported just before 5:30 p.m., had widespread ramifications. SMUD's outage map indicated around 15,583 residents were impacted, with regions such as Sacramento County, Elk Grove, Galt, and Folsom bearing the brunt of the disruption. Not long after, the numbers fluctuated rapidly, with the count of customers without power decreasing significantly by 7 p.m., indicating progress in restoration efforts.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) also faced challenges later on the same evening, with more than 5,000 residents in northern Fresno reporting outages due to similar underlying issues. Information released around 10:30 p.m. showed 5,226 customers were left without power, with the majority of those outages unplanned and attributed to unforeseen events.
Forecasters had warned of severe weather conditions leading up to the outages. Areas across Northern California were expected to experience heavy rain and strong winds, which were forecasted to exacerbate the risk of outages and damage to the power infrastructure. PG&E Meteorologist Evan Duffey noted, "Strong winds will arrive in the northern part of PG&E's service area on Friday, with the central and southern regions seeing adverse weather follow on Friday night and Saturday." This storm was characterized as fast-moving yet potent, generating expectations of widespread damaging winds and significant rain.
By the time night fell, steps to restore power were already underway, with both SMUD and PG&E mobilizing teams and equipment across their areas of service. PG&E’s crews were deployed early, pre-positioned strategically to address potential outages and restore service effectively. Senior Vice President of Electric Operations at PG&E, Peter Kenny, stated, "Our crews are in position and prepared to safely and quickly respond..." emphasizing the company’s readiness to tackle expected storm damage.
The restoration timeline saw utility companies updating their customers soon after the outages were reported. According to PG&E’s online portal, notable fluctuations were seen throughout the evening, as reported outages dipped to 8,609 customers before gradually decreasing to 4,390 by 6:18 p.m. Residents were also urged to remain cautious, as adverse weather continued to pose risks for both safety and service stability.
Customers were encouraged to stay informed with the utilities' online resources, where they could receive real-time updates about the outages and restoration efforts. For those who faced outages, safety tips were suggested to manage the situation effectively. Customers were encouraged to avoid touching downed wires, use flashlights instead of candles for lighting, and keep appliances unplugged to prevent overload issues when power was eventually restored.
Officials emphasized the importance of preparation when facing such unpredictable weather, advising families to secure outdoor furniture and account for potential needs during outages, such as backup charging for mobile devices.
Throughout the weekend, the weather remained touch-and-go, with utility companies like PG&E maintaining vigilance over the forecasted conditions. Weather alerts from the National Weather Service prompted warnings across various locations, indicating the need for continued caution among residents.
Despite the confusion and frustrations caused by the sudden outages, the swift actions of both SMUD and PG&E played a significant role in restoring power quickly. By late evening, most residents affected by the outages saw their electricity restored, with updates continuing through online platforms.
The capacity to respond effectively to such emergencies was highlighted by the innovative approaches adopted by utility companies. PG&E has increasingly utilized advanced technology for storm outage prediction and response, employing AI and machine learning capabilities to analyze potential damages and prepare resources.
Customers were reminded of the importance of staying connected and being prepared for any unforeseen power outages—all measures taken indicate the commitment of California's utility services to safeguard their community during challenging weather occurrences.