PG&E Tracking Winds In East Bay; No Public Safety Shutoff Planned

EAST BAY, CA — With strong winds in the forecast for Sunday and Monday in the East Bay and Bay Area, Pacific Gas & Electric Company said Friday afternoon that its crews are on alert and in position, ready to respond should weather-related outages occur. The PG&E statement coincided with the National Weather Service's decision Friday afternoon to upgrade a high wind watch to a wind advisory for East Bay Mountains, East Bay Valleys, the Diablo Range, North Bay mountains and hills, Coastal North Bay, the San Francisco Peninsula and SF Coast, and the Santa Cruz Mountains.

The NWS wind advisory is slated to begin Saturday evening and continue through Monday morning.

"Expect sustained north to northeast winds from 15 to 35 mph with gusts 45 to 50 mph, locally higher gusts possible over the North Bay Mountains where the strongest winds are anticipated," weather officials said. "Strong winds may blow down limbs and power lines. Scattered power outages are possible. Gusty winds will also make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles or those pulling trailers."

PG&E meteorologists forecast strong winds Sunday into Monday.

"PG&E is urging its customers to take the necessary steps to be prepared and stay safe," PG&E Spokeswoman Deanna Contreras said. "To be clear, PG&E will not be calling a Public Safety Power Shutoff as fuel and soil moisture values remain high due to winter season precipitation."

According to PG&E:

"A weather system moving through PG&E’s service area will produce a chance for light precipitation early Sunday into Monday for primarily the central and southern Sierra and southern San Joaquin Valley; most locations will remain dry this weekend.

"In the wake of the passage of weather system, strong gusty north or northeast winds are expected by early Sunday and into Monday for the northern half of the territory with widespread 30-45 mph gusts and stronger gusts of 50—70 mph over the elevated terrain and Sierra.

"Winds on Monday will remain breezy to gusty, but not as strong as Sunday, with winds expected to decrease Monday afternoon and night.

"PG&E has electric and vegetation crews on alert and in position to be able to respond should outages occur."

Because outages are possible during windy conditions, PG&E said rather than using candles, customers should plan ahead by having batteries on hand for flashlights.

PG&E said drivers should be on the lookout for fallen limbs and other debris in the roadways, and should immediately call 911 to report any downed power lines or wires.

"Never touch downed wires: If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous," Contreras said. "Do not touch or try to move it — and keep children and animals away."

Other ways customers can be prepared for possible outages include: have a backup phone; put aside some drinking water; fill some plastic containers with water and freeze the containers so they can be used to keep food from spoiling; secure outdoor furniture so it does not blow away and damage property and/or power lines; and turn off and/or unplug appliances.

More outage-related safety tips, including information about the use of portable generators, are posted on PG&E's website.

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