Metallic balloon causes power outage in Monterey Peninsula Saturday

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION)

UPDATE 05/02/20 11 p.m. Power was restored to the remaining affected customer by 6:25 p.m. on Saturday.

PG&E says a Mylar balloon caused the power outage after it came into contact with an overhead power line.

PG&E provided some information in regards to Mylar balloons and the disruption and damage they can cause to electric service and equipment:

• The number of power outages caused by metallic balloons in PG&E's service area has more than doubled over the past decade.
• Metallic balloons that contact overhead power lines can disrupt electric service to an entire neighborhood, cause significant property damage and potentially result in serious injuries.
• PG&E reminds customers to always use caution and avoid celebrating with metallic balloons near overhead electric lines.
• Make sure helium-filled metallic balloons are securely tied to a weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. Never remove the weight.
• When possible, keep metallic balloons indoors. Never permit metallic balloons to be released outside, for everyone's safety.
• Do not bundle metallic balloons together.
• Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite or toy that becomes caught in a power line. Leave it alone, and immediately call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem.

UPDATE 05/02/20 6:10 p.m. PG&E staff got back to KION saying that currently there are about 5,031 customers still impacted by this outage. The cause is under investigation.

The estimated time power will be restored is now unknown.

PREVIOUS STORY: Pacific Gas and Electric is reporting a power outage impacting about 8,657 customers in the Monterey Peninsula that started at around 5:15 p.m. on Saturday.

The cause of the outage is unknown at this time. PG&E says they are assigning crews to the scene right now.

The estimated time power will be restored is 8:15 p.m.

We will have more information as it becomes available.