PG&E Storm Update: Crews Make Restoration Progress, Customers Get Support

Thursday, Feb. 19, 3 p.m.

As a wave of winter storms continued to lash PG&E’s service area on Thursday, crews focused on restoring customers safely and as quickly as possible. PG&E also looked for ways to support our customers, especially those who are vulnerable and those who might have extended outages lasting more than two days.

As of noon today (Thursday, Feb. 19), approximately 64,000 were without power. Many of these were newer outages that happened as weather passed through overnight Wednesday and early Thursday morning. Since the start of the storms on Monday, PG&E has restored power to more than 400,000 customers.

The most impacted counties include Calaveras, Plumas, El Dorado, Tuolumne and Amador.

As of Wednesday, PG&E had approximately 3,800 personnel on storm duty, including approximately 390 electric crews, more than 500 troubleshooters and inspectors and nearly 2,500 vegetation management workers.

As in previous winter storms where high accumulations of low snow have occurred, some customers have experienced extended outages. Crews often have difficulty accessing more remote locations in higher terrain due to roads blocked by trees, debris and snow. PG&E is pre-staging crews and materials and is prepared to use helicopters, snowcats and four-wheel drive to gain access to hard-hit areas; however, customers in remote areas should prepare for extended outages given the unique circumstances of this storm.

The amount of damage to PG&E’s equipment shows the intensity of the storm. Through Wednesday, 335 spans of powerlines, 89 poles,161 transformers and 75 crossarms have been damaged.

PG&E’s in-house meteorologists have reported significant wind gusts associated with these storms, including 68 mph in Kern County on Feb. 16, 82 mph in Fresno County on Feb.17, 59 mph in San Luis Obispo County on Feb. 18 and 72 mph in San Mateo County today.

The utility also has been communicating with cities and counties to share preparation and plans.

At the request of local officials, PG&E is providing support to our customers in Calaveras County who are experiencing weather-related outages today.

A Community Resource Center is open at the West Point Community Hall, 22283 Highway 26 in West Point. The indoor site offers blankets, snacks, water, heating, device charging, ice, seating, Wi-Fi and an ADA-accessible restroom and washing station. Small medical device charging is also available. This location is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. today. More than 460 heavy blankets and 1,600 additional chargers are expected to be delivered today, weather permitting.

A second site offering grab-and-go bags is open at the Murphys Fire Department, 58 Jones St. in Murphys. This location is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today.

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m.

PG&E crews are working across the company’s service area to check damage and repair broken poles and power lines amid a series of strong winter storms.

By early Wednesday afternoon, PG&E crews had restored power to more than 213,000 customers since Monday morning. Of those, 86% customers had their power back on within six hours.

About 43,000 customers are still without power. Most of these outages are in PG&E’s Stockton, Yosemite and Sierra divisions, where heavy snow at low elevations is making it hard for crews to reach equipment, some of which has been severely damaged.

To reach these hard-hit areas, PG&E is using helicopters and snowcats. Some crews are even snowshoeing in. PG&E has brought in extra crews and contractors from outside the region to help local crews restore power. Some areas are still inaccessible due to road closures.

PG&E is updating estimated times of restoration as we get real-time information from our crews in the field.

PG&E has also improved its online outage center based on customer feedback.

Improvements include an Outage Status Tracker that shows repair progress, and more-local information on outages near homes and businesses.

To support customers experiencing longer outages, PG&E is reaching out to customers enrolled in the Self-Identified Vulnerable Program. Customers can also call 2-1-1 for help with outage planning, support during outages and bill assistance programs.

Customers who experience outages lasting 48 hours or more during major storms may receive Storm Inconvenience Bill Credits through PG&E’s Safety Net Program. Customers do not need to apply. Credits are based on how long the outage lasted and will appear on bills within 60 to 90 days.

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 4 p.m.

PG&E is responding to the latest in a series of winter storm fronts impacting nearly its entire service area.

As of Tuesday afternoon, crews had restored power to 112,000 customers since the storms began Monday. Of those, 95,000 were restored within six hours. Some 4,000 PG&E personnel are responding safely and swiftly to this storm series.  

Early in the day, lightning strikes caused numerous outages in the Bay Area. That included damage to a transformer that knocked out power to an elementary school in Santa Rosa. Crews are responding and full power is expected there later in the day. Along the Peninsula, storm-related damage to equipment left thousands without power. Nearly all were restored within 90 minutes.

In Sonoma County, restoration supervisor David Yoxall said lightning caused most of the damage to transformers. The largest outage in the area, he said, was about 1,000 customers whose power was quickly restored. 

"We've been chasing transformers all morning," Yoxall said. "We have guys rolling to them right away. Wind hasn't been a factor, and that's helped."

As the day progressed, low-elevation snow led to outages in the Sierra Nevada and surrounding foothill communities. 

"Lightning and low-elevation snow in one event makes it unique," said Operations Chief Joe Holbert from PG&E's Emergency Operations Center in Vacaville. "It's usually one or the other. Fortunately, we have plenty of resources in each of our regions to quickly respond."

PG&E's meteorologists expect more low-elevation snow and stronger winds Tuesday to Thursday. After a possible dry day Friday and most of Saturday, there’s additional risk for adverse weather Sunday and into early next week due to gusty winds and more heavy rainfall.

Monday, Feb. 16, 1 p.m.

• Over the weekend, PG&E began preparing for a series of severe winter storms forecasted through Wednesday, with the heaviest snowfall expected Monday night into Tuesday morning.

• Strong and gusty winds as well as heavy rain, low-elevation snow down to 1,000 feet in the North Valley and possible thunderstorms could result in power outages to customers across Central and Northern California.

• As of Monday morning, rain has been occurring over most of the territory, with breezy to gusty winds of 25-45 mph, strongest along the Central Coast and interior and in the southern interior. Winds are predicted to be minimal throughout today, escalating Tuesday. 

• Additional moderate to strong storm systems are expected Thursday and Friday, over the weekend and into the middle of next week. 

• PG&E activated its Emergency Operations Center Sunday morning as part of a companywide response. 

• In preparation, PG&E has been staging crews in the areas expected to receive the most severe storm impacts, including the Peninsula and Central Coast.

• “This weather system is impacting a widespread area of our service territory. On the coast, we're expecting heavy rains and winds, whereas the higher elevations are going to see snow,” said Paul Bury, incident commander. “We're staging crews to make sure they are ready to go out and safely restore power to customers in a timely manner." 

Friday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m.

A powerful winter storm is forecast to bring widespread rain, heavy mountain snow including low-elevation snow, as well as wind gusts beginning Monday, Feb 16. PG&E is pre-positioning resources to support the safe and efficient response to weather-related damage to electric equipment and potential power outages. The company is currently developing resource and preparedness plans and will also be activating its Emergency Operations Center to support the company’s coordinated response.

According to PG&E meteorologists, this storm system will deliver multiple hazards, including gusty winds reaching up to 60 mph, intense rainfall, and, for the first time this season, snow levels dropping as low as 2,000 feet. This could lead to outages in areas not typically affected. Significant snow accumulations are expected above 3,000 feet, especially from Monday night into Tuesday. PG&E’s meteorologists anticipate the storm will arrive early Monday morning and gradually weaken by Wednesday evening.

Unlike most winter storms, this event will progress in several phases, with multiple storm systems moving through the region, sometimes lingering and intensifying the risks posed by wind, rain, and snow.

"In addition to our customer outreach and engagement, as part of our preparation and resource planning ahead of storms or other seasonal weather events, we also prioritize engagement with state and local agency partners to help support a safe, efficient, coordinated response," said Angie Gibson, PG&E Emergency Preparedness and Response Vice President.

Storm readiness and planning

PG&E’s expanded use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine‑learning enhanced weather models provide an early picture of how and where the storm will affect electric infrastructure. These tools integrate real-time atmospheric data, historical outage patterns, and mapping, which is used to inform the strategic pre‑placement of crews, power poles, transformers, and critical electric equipment throughout the service area. This allows PG&E to move crews and equipment closer to areas expected to be hardest hit before impacts occur, which can help streamline restoration efforts once it’s safe to begin work.

“The safety of our hometowns remains our most important responsibility and we are actively monitoring the weather system and analyzing data to align the strategic placement of crews and resources to support a safe and swift response to any storm-related outages,” said Peter Kenny, PG&E Electric Transmission and Distribution Senior Vice President.

Regional impacts

• Strong south winds, up to 60 mph, will sweep across the Bay Area, Central Coast, San Joaquin Valley, and Sierra foothills, increasing the risk of widespread outages.
• Heavy, sustained rainfall is expected, ranging from 0.50 to 3 inches in mountainous and coastal regions, with the Sierra and elevated coastal areas seeing the most precipitation.
• Lightning and isolated thunderstorms are forecast, particularly in elevated Central Coast and interior regions, raising the potential for weather-related disruptions.

Keeping customers informed

PG&E encourages customers to monitor local weather updates, prepare for possible outages, and take necessary safety precautions, especially in areas prone to flooding, wind damage, or snow accumulation. If an outage occurs, PG&E will provide updates on outage status and estimated restoration times. Information can also be found on pge.com/outages. PG&E will also share updates on PG&E Currents.

Storm safety tips

• Never touch downed wires. Always assume they are energized; call 9-1-1 and then PG&E at 1‑800‑743‑5002.
• Use generators safely, only outdoors and installed by a licensed electrician.
• Use flashlights, not candles during outages to avoid fire hazards.
• Secure outdoor furniture to prevent items from blowing into powerlines.
• Disconnect appliances during outages to prevent overloads when service is restored.
• Call 811 before digging, especially after storms. For more preparedness resources, visit pge.com/safetyactioncenter.