OAKLAND,
Calif., Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ahead of the
first significant storm of the season, Pacific Gas and Electric
Company (PG&E) has mobilized crews and resources in key regions
to respond to potential storm-related damage and power outages and
is opening its Emergency Operations Center in Vacaville to assist in the coordination of
storm response and restoration efforts.
According to PG&E Meteorologist Scott Strenfel, an
atmospheric river event will arrive today and unfold over the next
several days delivering prolonged heavy rain and winds to the North
Bay, Sacramento Valley, Sierra, and Bay Area regions. The adverse
weather will also impact the southern part of the service area and
last through the latter part of Friday. PG&E's meteorologists
are utilizing machine learning outage models to forecast areas of
concentrated outages so crews can be pre-positioned to restore
power.
"We expect the first strong storm of the season to bring some
much-needed relief after months of drought and wildfire conditions.
If a power outage occurs, we are ready to safely restore power as
quickly as possible to our hometowns and customers," said
Peter Kenny, PG&E Senior Vice
President, Electric Operations.
The company is using its storm outage prediction models that
help determine the potential timing, location, and number of power
outages to pre-position storm response resources including,
electric crews, troublemen, distribution line technicians, system
inspectors who serve as the utility's first responders, along with
personnel who will monitor electric incidents for public
safety.
PG&E is also prestaging power poles, powerlines,
transformers, and other electric equipment at yards throughout its
service area to restore power to affected areas safely and as
quickly as possible.
Keeping Customers Informed
If an outage does occur, PG&E customers can find real-time
updates via the online outage center, including status updates the
assessments, repair and estimated time of
restoration. Renters and others without a PG&E
account may also use this portal to sign up for outage
notifications by text, email, or phone.
Storm Safety Tips
As PG&E follows its plan to prepare for the storm, customers
are urged to prepare their families as well.
- Never touch downed wires: If you see a downed power
line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch
or try to move it—and keep children and animals away. Report
downed power lines immediately by calling 9-1-1 and then PG&E
at 1-800-743-5002.
- Use generators safely: Customers with standby electric
generators should ensure they are properly installed by a licensed
electrician in a well-ventilated area. Improperly installed
generators pose a significant danger to customers, as well as crews
working on powerlines. If using portable generators, be sure they
are in a well-ventilated area.
- Use flashlights, not candles: During a power outage, use
battery-operated flashlights and not candles, due to the risk of
fire. And keep extra batteries on hand. If you must use candles,
please keep them away from drapes, lampshades, animals and small
children. Do not leave candles unattended.
- Have a backup phone: If you have a telephone system that
requires electricity to work, such as a cordless phone or answering
machine, plan to have a standard telephone or cellular phone ready
as a backup. Having a portable charging device helps to keep your
cell phone running.
- Have fresh drinking water and ice: Freeze plastic
containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be
placed in your refrigerator/freezer to prevent food spoilage.
- Secure your outside furniture: Strong winds can
blow lawn chairs and other outdoor items into powerlines.
- Turn off appliances: If you experience an outage, unplug
or turn off all electrical appliances to avoid overloading circuits
and to prevent fire hazards when power is restored. Simply leave a
single lamp on to alert you when power returns.
- Safely clean up: After the storm has passed, be
sure to safely clean up. Never touch downed wires and always call
8-1-1 or visit 811express.com at least two full business days
before digging to have all underground utilities safely
marked.
Other tips can be found at: Safety and Preparedness, Storm
Safety, and Safety Action Center.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company,
a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined
natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million
people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information,
visit pge.com and pge.com/news
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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company