Pushed Back: Pinole Power Shutoff

PINOLE, HERCULES, CA — PG&E announced Tuesday evening that it is moving forward with a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS. However, the timing is being pushed back because high winds will arrive later than expected.

Almost 75,000 East Bay homes and businesses are expected to have their power shut off starting around noon on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Previously, the outage was expected to happen overnight.

The outage is planned because the strongest winds in two years are expected to tear through the Bay Area, raising the risk of wildfires.

Once the power is shut off, it could take up to five days to restore. PG&E plans to inspect its power lines before re-energizing them.

Here are the East Bay communities that are bracing for power outages—

Alameda County:

• Albany (PG&E listed Albany under the Contra Costa County warning)
• Berkeley
• Castro Valley
• Fremont
• Hayward
• Livermore
• Oakland
• Piedmont (confirmed by city; not included by PG&E on website)
• Pleasanton
• San Leandro
• Sunol
• Union City

Contra Costa County:

• Antioch
• Canyon
• Concord
• El Cerrito
• El Sobrante
• Kensington
• Lafayette
• Martinez
• Moraga
• Orinda
• Pinole
• Pittsburg
• Pleasant Hill
• Richmond
• Rodeo
• San Pablo
• San Ramon
• Walnut Creek

>>Related: Red Flag Warning Issued For Much Of NorCal: NWS

Here's a close-up of the map provided by PG&E of the potential outage area:

Here is a map of the greater Bay Area:

Residents only have a short time to prepare. Here's a cheat sheet for before and during a power shutoff —

Before the Shutoff:

• Plan for your family and pet medical needs. Do you have enough prescription meds? If you have major medical needs that depend upon electricity, is it safer for you to relocate to a friend's or family member's home out of the area?
• Have an emergency supply kit with food and water.
• Flashlights? Extra batteries?
• Keep all of your mobile devices charged.
• Identify backup charging methods.
• Store water and non-perishable foods.
• If you have a generator, do you have extra fuel?
• Keep vehicle fuel tanks full.
• Remember, gas stations, stores and ATMs in the immediate area will be closed.
• Know how to use the manual release on your garage door.
• Talk with your neighbors and friends and share your plans.

During the outage:

• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
• Monitor freezer and refrigerator temperatures with a thermometer.
• Use perishable food supplies first.
• Use generators, stoves and grills outdoors away from windows.
• Disconnect electronics and appliances to avoid damage from electrical surges.
• Check on neighbors, animals and family.
• Drive safely and slowly as traffic signals may not be functioning properly.

Earlier Monday, PG&E issued a press release saying that it may proactively turn off power in portions of 30 counties in Northern and Central California due to a National Weather Service fire weather watch for vast portions of the Golden State.

"The National Interagency Fire Center's Geographic Area Coordination Center is also forecasting significant fire potential across Northern California beginning on Wednesday of this week," said Deanna Contreras, PG&E spokeswoman.

The 30 counties: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Mariposa, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba.

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