Wind & power outages in Bay Area live updates: Gusts ease, fire threat remains

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Tuesday, October 27, 2020
UPDATE: 2nd day without power, PG&E restoring service
Second day without power, PG&E restoring service, generator sparks restaurant fire, Here's the latest on the PSPS in the Bay Area.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Power has been restored to 156,000 customers impacted by PG&E's latest round of Public Safety Power Shutoffs. At its peak, 345,000 customers in 36 counties across California were impacted.

LIVE: Track the winds with Live Doppler 7

County-by-county breakdown of how many Bay Area customers lost power:

  • Alameda County: 16,329 customers, 795 Medical Baseline customers
  • Contra Costa County: 17,966 customers, 883 Medical Baseline customers
  • Lake County: 21,621 customers, 1,572 Medical Baseline customers
  • Marin County: 13,809 customers, 443 Medical Baseline customers
  • Napa County: 11,026 customers, 393 Medical Baseline customers
  • San Mateo County: 3,671 customers, 93 Medical Baseline customers
  • Santa Clara County: 4,182 customers, 205 Medical Baseline customers
  • Santa Cruz County: 13,872 customers, 955 Medical Baseline customers
  • Solano County: 1,597 customers, 96 Medical Baseline customers
  • Sonoma County: 23,464 customers, 1,164 Medical Baseline customers

Here's the latest on gusts in the Bay Area:

Oct. 27, 2020

7:30 a.m.

Kenwood, Montgomery school districts closed

The Kenwood and Montgomery school districts in Sonoma County will be closed today because of the Public Safety Power Shutoffs.

6:40 a.m.

PG&E to launch helicopters for inspections

PG&E said it will launch helicopters this morning to inspect powerlines impacted by it latest round of Public Safety Power Shutoffs. The utility is aiming for full restoration by tonight.

5:25 a.m.

Red Flag Warning remains in effect

A Red Flag Warning will remain in effect until 5 p.m. for the Diablo Range, East Bay Hills and North Bay Mountains.

Oct. 26, 2020

10:15 p.m.
Power restored to 156,000 customers

PG&E says it restored power to more than 156,000 of the approximately 345,000 customers impacted by the PSPS by 10 p.m. Monday night. "All remaining customers-approximately 189,000-are expected to have power back on late Tuesday evening," the utility said.

6 p.m.
PG&E officials hold a briefing on PSPS

PG&E officials held a briefing to give the latest details on the power shutoff impacting tens of thousands in the Bay Area. As of 6 p.m., 95,000 customers have been restored and 250,000 are still without power. Officials say 28% of customers have been restored and the percentage is expected to increase in the next few hours.

PG&E Meteorologist Scott Strenfel says they are projecting another wind event Tuesday night that will be less extreme from the night before. High winds are expected for the North Bay hills in Mt. St. Helena, a small pocket in the East Bay, and the Santa Cruz mountains.

Further restoration is still predicted for Tuesday officials say.

Miss the briefing? Rewatch the live stream here.

4:30 p.m.
Power outage extended in Lafayette

The Lafayette Police Department says the city's Public Safety Power Shutoff will continue through Tuesday. The city stated that, "Portions of Lafayette will remain without power overnight until such time as PG&E can inspect power lines." Due to continued high winds, PG&E hasn't yet been unable to fly helicopters to make inspections.

4:20 p.m.
Weather forces closure of East Bay parks, trails

The East Bay Municipal Utility District says its Lafayette and San Pablo Reservoir Recreation Areas and East Bay trails will remain closed due to weather through Tuesday, Oct. 27. Rec areas and trails will re-open on Wednesday, Oct. 28

11 a.m.
Several Oakland schools closed due to power outage

Oakland Unified School district says the following schools are closed on Monday due to the PG&E power outages:

  • Burckhalter Elementary School
  • Grass Valley ES
  • Howard ES & Roses in Concrete (Connected charter)
  • Montclair ES
  • King Estates Property - which includes Rudsdale Continuation and Sojourner Truth, charter BayTech
  • Skyline High School

10:35 a.m.

Winds gusting at 140 mph at Kirkwood

Winds at the top of Kirkwood Mountain Resort have been gusting to 140 mph this morning, according to Meteorologist Mike Nicco.

10 a.m.
Red Flag Warning extended in parts of Bay Area

The Red Flag Warning has been extended through 5 p.m. today for the coast and lower elevations. The warning is still in effect until 5 p.m.Tuesday for the Diablo range, East Bay hills and North Bay mountains.

7:45 a.m.
Oakland Zoo closed due to power outage

The Oakland Zoo tweeted that it will be closed all Monday due to the power outage. It is possible the zoo will also be closed Tuesday. More details here.

7 a.m.
Wind Advisory for Bay Area expires at 11 am.

The Bay Area began Monday morning entrenched in our most dangerous fire conditions. Lower elevations expect one last burst of potentially damaging winds for a few hours after sunrise. The Wind Advisory for all areas expires at 11 a.m.

5 a.m.
Wind gusts reach 89 mph in Middletown

Overnight, gusts reached 89 mph in Middletown, 82 mph on Mount Saint Helena, 62 mph on Mount Diablo, 58 mph at Oakland International Airport, 57 mph at the Pittsburg Marina, according to the National Weather Service.

361,000 without power in Bay Area

PG&E officials say because of the high winds, extremely low humidity, dry vegetation and severe drought, the utility company has knocked out power to 361,000 customers in 36 counties. PG&E says nearly 106,000 customers in the Bay Area have been impacted.

Oct. 25, 2020

8:30 p.m.

At least two East Bay jurisdictions suggested that residents in the highest risk areas consider evacuating voluntarily ahead of the high winds that have prompted a Red Flag Warning for much of the Bay Area. Get the full story here.

MAP: Find out if you'll be impacted by PSPS here

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