Power restoration begins in Central Coast counties
UPDATE 10/28/2019 8:30 p.m.
PG&E says power has been restored to 100 percent of customers impacted in Monterey County by the latest public safety power shutoff.
Santa Cruz County – 87 percent
San Benito County – 98 percent
There are also outages listed Monday night for large sections of the Santa Cruz Mountains, including Bonny Doon, Boulder Creek and Davenport. PG&E tells KION that about 100,000 of their customers lost power due to “wind-related outages on the system in areas that were not de-energized.”
As of 8:30 p.m., the PG&E lists unplanned outages for roughly 3,000 people in Santa Cruz County.
Santa Cruz County is also expected to be impacted by another planned power shutoff on Tuesday.
UPDATE 10/28/2019 3:30 p.m. PG&E said that as of 3:30 p.m. on Monday, power is 89% restored in Monterey County, 47% restored in Santa Cruz County and 83% restored in San Benito County.
UPDATE: PG&E has given the all clear for the 10/26 Public Safety Power Shutoff event, and has begun the re-energization process for Santa Cruz County.
They are advised re-energization could take up to 48 hours, although many PG&E customers will see power come back on sooner, and some customers waited longer to have their power restored during the last PSPS event.
Power restoration requires visual inspection of lines, including by helicopter. Residents may see increases in those types of activities in their neighborhoods. PG&E cautions that wind damage on the system is expected, and power restoration in damaged areas may be delayed.
In addition, PG&E is tracking a new potential wind event that may impact Santa Cruz County. This PSPS event is expected to begin early Tuesday morning. However, PG&E is signaling that the footprint of this event may be reduced from earlier projections, and the County is working with PG&E to determine whether Santa Cruz County would still be impacted.
There are reports of wind damage and downed trees throughout the County. However, roads were minimally impacted including a brief closure of Granite Creek Road. To check road conditions, go to http://sccroadclosure.org/. Officials also remind motorists that traffic signals without power act as a four-way stop sign.
PG&E community resource centers at Siltanen Park in Scotts Valley, Costco in Santa Cruz and Twin Lakes Church in Aptos will remain open until power is restored.
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Richard Marlais is forced to clear out a full fridge after PG&E cut power to his house Saturday night.
Many in Santa Cruz County have planned for the shutoff for days, but Marlais did not. He thought he was in the clear. PG&E’s public safety power shutoff map indicates his home would not lose power.
“Around 8:30 the lights went off. We went back to PG&E on our phones. It said we were not affected, but we had no lights,” said Marlais.
Marlais’ home address is still listed under “no impact” on PG&E’s website. He said his neighbors are experiencing the same frustration. “For those out there that have invested so much in their food lockers and freezer, have health programs, and need that electricity, it’s just sad,” said Marlais.
PG&E said there is a reason some areas will still lose power and not be listed on their planned outage map. Spokesperson, Mayra Tostado, said the unannounced outages in Santa Cruz were not planned.
“We have received multiple reports of outages throughout our service areas that are not related to the Public Safety Power Shutoff. We have crews in the field that are investigating. We believe most of these outages are weather related,” said Tostado.
Historically strong winds have taken down power lines according to PG&E. They are encouraging all homes and businesses to be prepared for outages no matter what.
“Even though you may not have been notified of a power outage, weather conditions may change. The situation is very fluid. It’s about being prepared for any situation that may arise,” said Tostado.
For questions about a power outage in your area, call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
