Northern California has been rattled by severe winter storms, leading to widespread power outages affecting more than 171,000 customers as of Saturday morning. With storm conditions intensifying, residents faced not only intense rainfall and heavy winds but also unprecedented tornado warnings, marking a uniquely challenging day for the region.
The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) reported approximately 171,409 customers lost power due to about 1,300 separate outages occurring across the state. The hardest-hit areas included San Francisco, where the outages were centered around Golden Gate Park, impacting over 3,221 customers. Mary Ellen Carroll, the executive director of the city's Department of Emergency Management, noted, "Around 13,000 residents are without power" from these outages.
Winds were fiercely felt across the region, with gusts reported between 40 to 50 mph, as meteorologist Kelly Curran highlighted. Many residents were caught off-guard early Saturday morning when they awoke to the frenzied sound of tornado warning sirens. Remarkably, this event marked the first ever tornado warning issued for San Francisco as storms raged on.
The storm wreaked havoc throughout the Central Coast as well, significantly impacting Monterey County, where nearly 50,000 customers experienced outages. Cities like Marina, Monterey, and Seaside grappled with sizable losses of power as outages continued to spike since reports began surfacing at around 6:35 AM.
PG&E has indicated the outages stem from storm damage, stating, "Crews are currently responding to emergencies due to storm damage. Once the extreme weather has passed, crews will begin repairs. We will provide you with an update as soon as we know more." Although some areas have seen outages decrease as storms moved on, states like El Dorado and Tuolumne counties still face substantial power interruptions.
Conditions are expected to remain volatile with the forecast hinting at potential isolated thunderstorms throughout the day. According to PG&E's website, "With large storms, it could take up to 24 hours before we have an estimate of when your power will be on," leaving many communities anxious about their recovery timeline.
For residents trying to navigate this difficult scenario, local utility companies like Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) have also advised safety precautions. Over 2,200 customers have been affected by outages noted earlier Saturday, primarily concentrated in the Citrus Heights area.
Local authorities provided resources and safety tips to residents without power. PG&E urged customers to prepare emergency kits, keep flashlights and charged phones ready, and steer clear of downed wires. Meanwhile, SMUD reminded customers to report any outages and be on alert for beat-up conditions on the roads due to flooding.
Photos and videos flooded social media as some residents shared their experiences battling the storm. Many reported sustained winds tearing through the area, uprooting trees and damaging property. The entire community is on high alert, not only for the current weather but also for the aftermath as cleanup and restoration begin.
While power companies work diligently to address outages, many residents are encouraged to stay up-to-date with real-time information about their situation via PG&E’s online outage center, which offers insights by city or county.
Safety was the major theme for the day, with residents advised to avoid travel and stay indoors as much as possible during peak storm hours. Emergency services remained on standby across Northern California as winds began to die down but were still significantly gusty.
The severity of the storm serves as a reminder of the volatile power dynamics nature holds over everyday life. Community efforts are underway, fostering hope for the fast resolution of these outages as families seek comfort and stability amid the chaos.
With the weekend storms taking center stage, residents were left to hope for clear skies and the return of power services. Local news outlets, emergency services, and power companies continue to track and report on the storm’s aftermath, ensuring everyone is prepared for the next steps forward.
