PG&E expects storms to continue affecting service throughout the week, Sarkissian said. "We have been preparing for this and we have all hands on deck."
The region's coastal and wooded areas pose the biggest challenge for repair crews because of high winds and the concentration of trees, she said.
PG&E advises those affected to use battery-operated flashlights rather than candles, which are a fire hazard, Sarkissian said.
Another tip is to freeze several large plastic bottles of water, she said. That way, if power goes out, residents can use the frozen water bottles to keep temperatures cool inside their refrigerators and freezers so food doesn't spoil.
Anyone who sees a downed power line should call 911. Otherwise, outages can be reported to (800) 743-5002.
Bay City News contributed to this report
