PG&E works to restore power knocked out in storm

Byby Cornell Barnard KGO logo
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Storm related power outages
The storm that swept through the Bay Area Friday has left behind power outages that crews are still working to repair.

The storm left its mark on much of the Bay Area. Many are cleaning up after rain and powerful winds blew through and knocked out power.

PG&E crews are working to restore power to thousands of customers throughout the Bay Area following outages stemming from a storm passing through the area, utility officials said.

As of 10 p.m. Saturday, there were about at least 1,070 customers still without power throughout the region, according to PG&E.

In Sausalito, more than a thousand customers have been without power all day after a power pole fell on Woodward Avenue in Friday night's storm.

It's dark inside Saylor's Restaurant on Bridgeway Avenue. There are no customers and no lights.

Sean Saylor says he lost power about 10:30 p.m. Friday night. Those with reservations are being told to come back another time. Meantime food in the freezer is thawing quickly.

"I have to keep my fridge closed, and I bought dry ice for the freezer. I am trying to keep the food cold so I don't lose anything," said Saylor.

In Mill Valley, the Medina family's tree trimming business is busy, clearing toppled tree limbs and trying to prevent more damage before the next storm.

"What we're trying to do is prevent trees from falling onto the building," said Cesar Medina.

These two large poplar trees fell on Miller Ave overnight blocking traffic for a time.

Heavy wind gusts blew out a second floor window at Moylan's Brewery in Novato. No one hurt.

In the Berkeley Hills, an 80-foot Monterey pine tree is being removed after falling on Sandi Thompson's property Friday.

The tree fell away from Sandi's house, but toppled into the backyards of two neighbor's and damaged the roof of the home. Many of the trees were planted in the early 1960's.

"Apparently, the lifespan is about 50 years. Makes me nervous with another storm coming," said Thompson.

Removing this giant tree could take several days.

VIDEO: Storm causes flooding, downed trees in North Bay

The North Bay had about 2,400 customers without power, the most in the Bay Area, PG&E said.

VIDEO: Storm topples trees, causes power outages in Alamo

Since 12:01 a.m. Friday, power outages related to the storm and high winds impacted an estimated 96,800 customers in the Bay Area, according to PG&E.

PHOTOS: Storm moves into Bay Area

With more rain expected Sunday, PG&E officials said they are bringing in crews from Oregon and Washington to supplement its 2,200 employees assigned to storm response and service restoration.

VIDEO: Trees fall on streets, police building in San Francisco

As about noon today, scattered showers were reported in the Santa Cruz mountains and the Peninsula, possibly intensifying later in the afternoon, National Weather Service forecaster Austin Cross said.

The next wave of rain is expected to start early Sunday morning. Most urban areas may receive about 1 to 2 inches of additional rain, while coastal mountains are estimated to receive 3 to 6 inches of more rain, Cross said.

VIDEO: Downed trees major problem in South Bay

Venado, an unincorporated community in Sonoma County west of Healdsburg, has received 10.48 inches of rain so far, he said.

In Santa Cruz County, Mt. Umunhum has received about 6.5 inches, according to Cross.

Not as much rain will fall on Sunday compared to Friday, but gusty winds will persist with about 40 mph in urban areas and up to 60 mph in the mountains, he said.

With a short break from the storm today, Cross advised the public to make any needed preparations for Sunday's rain.

Bay City News contributed to this story.

With more rain headed our way, we want to remind you that it's easy to track the storm on Live Doppler 7 HD anytime! Click here to download the ABC7 Weather App for free on Apple's App Store or Google Play.