Monday, Oct 28, 2019
 by 
Christa Bigue
  • field of grass with power lines

    PG&E is in the process of restoring power to the approximately 190,000 San Mateo County customers affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) that began on Saturday but is expected to start another shut off Tuesday morning to a smaller area.

    PG&E notified the County of San Mateo it will likely proactively shut off power to customers south of Pacifica and west of State Route 280 to the ocean at approximately 7 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29 in response to high winds and fire danger. The shut off is anticipated to last through 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, not including the time to re-energize the power lines. Power restoration is also dependent upon any damage sustained by PG&E infrastructure from the weather event. Some San Mateo County customers who lost power in the Oct. 26 PSPS may not have it restored prior to the power being shut off again on Tuesday.

    As of Monday afternoon, PG&E estimates the Oct. 29 PSPS in San Mateo County could impact 13,000 service addresses which roughly translates to 39,000 customers. Residents can learn if their address will be impacted by visiting https://psps.ss.pge.com.

    The Tom Lantos Tunnel on Highway 1 will remain open and powered by generators during the PSPS, according to Caltrans. However, drivers are asked to stay out of the impacted areas including the coast. With many traffic signals out, drivers are also encouraged to stay off the roads if possible.

    PG&E said it will maintain Community Resource Centers (CRCs) in San Mateo County on Tuesday and those in the impacted areas through the duration of the power shut off. For updates on power restoration and a list of PG&E-operated Community Resource Centers where residents can charge electronics, receive water and use air conditioning, visit PG&E’s PSPS website.

    County Parks anticipates keeping as many parks open as possible but visit the Parks page for updates.

    County Libraries plan to keep impacted libraries open with limited service. Please visit Libraries and its social media accounts for updates.

    MORE INFORMATION RESOURCES:

    · The County of San Mateo encourages residents to sign up for up-to-date emergency alerts through PG&E and SMC Alert (smcalert.info). Follow the County at twitter.com/sanmateoco and facebook.com/CountyofSanMateo.

    · For potential facility or road closures in specific impacted jurisdictions, please visit those city or town websites.

    · For traffic updates on the surrounding area, visit 511.org.

    · For weather updates, visit the National Weather Service.

    · For information on air quality, visit the Bay Area Air Quality Management District at http://www.baaqmd.gov and County Health. · For food safety information, visit the Red Cross or County Health.

    · For more information on emergency response, recovery and resilience from the state including local and state resources, visit response.ca.gov

    · Please reserve 9-1-1 for medical and life-threatening emergencies only.

    PSPS PREPARATION:

    PG&E asks customers to:

    · Update contact information at pge.com/mywildfirealerts or by calling 1-866-743-6589 during normal business hours. PG&E will use this information to alert customers through automated calls, texts, and emails, when possible, prior to, and during, a PSPS.

    · Plan for medical needs like medications that require refrigeration or devices that need power.

    · Identify backup charging methods for phones and keep hard copies of emergency numbers.

    · Build or restock your emergency kit with flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash.

    · Consider family members who are elderly, younger children and pets. Information and tips including a safety plan checklist are available at pge.com/wildfiresafety.

    For more information on what to do before, during and after a Public Safety Power Shutoff, visit: https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/wildfires/outage-readiness.page.

    COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTERS:

    La Honda, La Honda Fire Brigade, 8945 La Honda Road, open through 10/30 at  8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    Pacifica, Pacifica Community Center, 540 Crespi Drive, open through 10/30 at  8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    Half Moon Bay Library, 620 Correas Street, open 10/30 at 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    San Mateo Event Center – 2490 S. Delaware, San Mateo Sequoia Hall, Gate 13, to close in the afternoon on 10/29.