Learn about Public Safety Power Shutoffs
Public Safety Power Shutoff overview
High winds can bring tree branches and debris into contact with energized lines, damage equipment and ignite a wildfire. As a result, we may need to turn off power during severe weather to help prevent wildfires. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff.
Play the Public Safety Power
Shutoff overview video
Access an audio descriptive version
Download a transcript (PDF, 110 KB)
An outage timeline: what to expect
We share weather and equipment updates as soon as they are available. The timeline for a Public Safety Power Shutoff includes the following stages:
Severe weather forecasted
When: Up to a week before power is shut off
What: Our weather specialists forecast potential severe weather
Public Safety Power Shutoff Watch notification (outages likely)
When: Up to two days before power is shut off
What: We notify you if your address may be affected by a shutoff
Public Safety Power Shutoff Watch notification (outages likely)
When: Up to one day before power is shut off
What: We update you on the potential shutoff
Public Safety Power Shutoff Warning notifications (outages required)
When: One to four hours before power is shut off
NEW IN 2022 – PG&E is required by the California Public Utilities Commission to send “Public Safety Power Shutoff Warning” notifications 24 hours a day. You may receive phone calls, SMS texts and email notifications between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.
What: We notify you if your address will be affected by a shutoff
Power is shut off
When: Once power has been shut off
NEW IN 2022 – PG&E is required by the California Public Utilities Commission to send “power is off” notifications 24 hours a day. You may receive phone calls, SMS texts and email notifications between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.
What: We notify you that power has been turned off to prevent wildfires
Weather “all-clear” notification
When: After severe weather has passed
NEW IN 2022 – PG&E is required by the California Public Utilities Commission to send “all-clear” notifications 24 hours a day. You may receive phone calls, SMS texts and email notifications between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.
What: We notify you that we are inspecting powerlines and provide restoration estimates
Estimated restoration notification
When: If we experience changes in our restoration estimates
What: We provide updates if there’s a change to our estimated time of restoration
Power is restored
When: Within 24 hours after severe weather has passed
NEW in 2022 – PG&E is required by the California Public Utilities Commission to send “power is restored” notifications 24 hours a day. You may receive phone calls, SMS texts and email notifications between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.
What: We notify you when power has been restored
Learn more about Public Safety Power Shutoffs
Every wildfire season is different. Drought and local weather conditions will continue to determine the number of times we will need to shut off power. To find out more about the decision-making process, download the Safety Outage Decision-making Guide (PDF, 18.8 MB). To help you prepare and stay safe, we’ve provided the following resources:
Public Safety Power Shutoff updates and alerts
Find out about a potential shutoff in your area. Sign up for notifications about possible power outages.
Prepare for a Public Safety Power Shutoff
Find safety tips. Learn how to prepare for a shutoff.
Why Public Safety Power Shutoffs occur
Find out the factors that go into our decision to call a shutoff.
Improving Public Safety Power Shutoffs
Find out how we’re improving the shutoffs for our customers and communities.
Public Safety Power Shutoff support
Find resources before, during and after a Public Safety Power Shutoff.
Public Safety Power Shutoff planning maps
Find the locations where shutoffs may be likely. View past outages in your area.
More resources
- To find a more detailed account of what to expect in a shutoff, download Your Guide to Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PDF, 7.32 MB).
- To find tips on staying safe during a shutoff, download Prepare for a Power Outage (PDF, 904 KB).
- To find suggested emergency kit supplies, download the Emergency Checklist (PDF, 930 KB).
- To create a personalized emergency plan in the event of an evacuation, visit our emergency plan page.
- To report or view current outages, visit our outages map.
- To learn more about the Public Safety Power Shutoff Program, weather factors, alerts and ways to prepare, download the Public Safety Power Shutoff Fact Sheet (PDF, 3.7 MB).
- To help your tenants be prepared for shutoff, download the Master Meter Flyer (PDF, 597 KB).
- For customers with medical or independent living needs, download the Aging and Disability Emergency Preparedness Brochure (PDF, 241 KB).