PG&E says; With heavy rains and winds predicted for much of PG&E’s service area over the next several days, the utility reminds its customers to plan ahead for safety.
To prepare for such storms and minimize outages, PG&E does extensive preventive maintenance and has year-round tree pruning programs. Each year, the utility inspects
every mile of line in its service area — more than 130,000 miles total — and spends more than $180 million to reduce the hazards from trees.
And PG&E plans ahead for storms by making sure it has the proper equipment and crews positioned in the right places. The company’s in-house meteorologists provide detailed, geographic-specific forecasts and the company is using some new technologies.
PG&E meteorologists have been watching this storm approach for several days as they forecast where outages are most likely to occur based on the weather.
“Expect very heavy rain with this system, with general rainfall amounts of two to four inches across the lower elevations with potentially double those amounts in elevated terrain,” says meteorologist Scott Strenfel. “The additional heavy rain on already saturated ground is expected to cause numerous instances of mudslides and small stream flooding.”
Winds of 35 to 45 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph appear likely.
When outages do occur, PG&E employees remain focused on ensuring public safety, determining the extent of the damage, providing customers with timely and accurate information, and restoring service as quickly as possible.
During outages, PG&E communicates with customers regularly and through many channels about when power is expected to be restored. Customers can call the 24-hour Outage Service Line at 1-800-743-5002 to report an outage, to report a hazardous condition or to get the latest information on outages in their community.
Outage information is also available online through a live outage map and storm guide at www.pge.com/outages.
PG&E offers some specific tips on its website, including:
If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it — and keep children and animals away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 911 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.
Do not use candles because of the risk of fire. If you must use candles, use extreme caution. Do not use candles near drapes, under lampshades or near holiday trees. Keep candles away from small children, and do not leave candles unattended.
If your power goes out, turn off or unplug all electric appliances; otherwise, several appliances may come back on at once and overload your circuits when power is restored. Hot appliances also pose a fire hazard if they come back on while you’re away or asleep. Leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal.
Have battery-operated radios with fresh batteries ready for updates on storm conditions and power outages.
Have battery-operated flashlights with fresh batteries on hand.
Have a cell phone or hard-wire, single-line telephone on hand. Cordless phones will not work without electricity.
Fill used liter-size plastic soda bottles with water and place them in the freezer. During an extended outage, transfer them to your refrigerator to prevent food from spoiling. Open the refrigerator only when necessary to keep warm air out and cooler air in.
If you have a generator, inform PG&E and do not use it unless it is installed safely and properly. If it is not, you risk damaging your property and endangering yourself and PG&E line workers who may be working on nearby power lines. Information on the safe installation of generators can be found on our website at www.pge.com/generator.
A major storm is still on track to impact Northern California later this week. This storm still looks like it could be the strongest storm we've seen in several years. This graphic shows the potential rainfall totals along three geographic zones: the Northern Valley, the Sacramento Area, and the Sierra. Also, pay attention to the Impact Levels through the course of this event! Thursday and Thursday night will likely be the critical timeframe across interior Northern California, with a combination of very strong winds and heavy rain causing widespread flooding and power outage issues.
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The brunt of the wind is expected to be hitting during the Thursday morning commute, making for a rough trip to work! The heaviest rain is expected to impact the Thursday evening commute around Sacramento, with flooded roads possible for the return home. Check out these safety tips and plan ahead.
Blizzard Warning in Red
Winter Storm Warning in Pink
High Wind Warning in Light Brown
High Wind Watch in Dark Brown
Flood Watch in Green
WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA-
...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM WEDNESDAY TO 1 PM PST
FRIDAY ABOVE 6000 FEET...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WARNING ABOVE 6000 FEET...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM WEDNESDAY
TO 1 PM PST FRIDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN
EFFECT.
* IMPACTS:EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS WHITEOUT CONDITIONS. PASSES MAY
CLOSE FOR SEVERAL HOURS.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 10 TO 20 INCHES ABOVE 6000 FEET WITH 2 TO 3
FEET OR MORE POSSIBLE ALONG THE CREST.
* TIMING: SNOW WILL BEGIN LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY
MORNING AND CONTINUE INTO FRIDAY. THE PERIOD OF HEAVIEST SNOW
IS EXPECTED THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND THURSDAY NIGHT. THE STRONGEST
WINDS ARE EXPECTED WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY.
* SNOW LEVELS: SNOW LEVELS WILL INITIALLY BE ABOVE 6500 FEET LATE
WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY...LOWERING TO 4500 TO 5500 FEET THURSDAY
NIGHT INTO FRIDAY.
* WIND: SOUTHERLY WINDS 25 TO 50 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 80 MPH OR
HIGHER WILL DEVELOP WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY. WINDS
DECREASE BY FRIDAY MORNING.
* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: LASSEN NATIONAL PARK...DONNER PASS...
ECHO SUMMIT...CARSON PASS.
* FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA...VISIT
HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/SACRAMENTO/HAZARDS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND POOR VISIBILITIES ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT
CONDITIONS...MAKING TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT TRAVEL. IF
YOU MUST TRAVEL...HAVE A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU. IF YOU GET
STRANDED...STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE.
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THURSDAY TO 4 PM PST
FRIDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HANFORD HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM
10 AM THURSDAY TO 4 PM PST FRIDAY FOR THE SOUTHERN SIERRA NEVADA
FROM YOSEMITE TO THE TULARE COUNTY MOUNTAINS. THE WINTER STORM
WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.
* LOCATIONS INCLUDE...TUOLUMNE MEADOWS...TIOGA PASS...DEVILS
POSTPILE...FLORENCE LAKE...LAKE THOMAS EDISON...HUNTINGTON
LAKE...LODGEPOLE...GRANT GROVE...CAMP NELSON AND QUAKING ASPEN.
* SNOW AMOUNTS...SNOW ACCUMULATIONS 1 TO 2 FEET WITH LOCALLY
HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. THE HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED NORTH
OF THE SAN JOAQUIN RIVER.
* SNOW LEVEL...STARTING AROUND 8000 FEET THURSDAY...LOWERING TO
6000 FEET FRIDAY MORNING.
* WINDS...SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL INCREASE IN THE EARLY MORNING
THURSDAY WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH OR MORE POSSIBLE. WINDS
DIMINISHING FRIDAY MORNING.
* TIMING...SNOW IS EXPECTED AROUND MIDDAY THURSDAY TOWARDS
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS AND FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE TULARE COUNTY MOUNTAINS.
SNOW CONTINUING THROUGH FRIDAY. THE PERIOD OF HEAVIEST SNOW IS
EXPECTED THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY MORNING.
* IMPACTS...EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS WHITEOUT CONDITIONS. SNOW WILL
CREATE SLICK AND ICY CONDITIONS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
SHASTA LAKE AREA / NORTHERN SHASTA COUNTY-
BURNEY BASIN / EASTERN SHASTA COUNTY-NORTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY-
CENTRAL SACRAMENTO VALLEY-
MOUNTAINS SOUTHWESTERN SHASTA COUNTY TO NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY-
CLEAR LAKE/SOUTHERN LAKE COUNTY-
NORTHEAST FOOTHILLS/SACRAMENTO VALLEY-MOTHERLODE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BURNEY...REDDING...CHICO...
ALDER SPRINGS...LAKEPORT...PARADISE...GRASS VALLEY...JACKSON
...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM WEDNESDAY TO
2 PM PST THURSDAY...
* WINDS: SOUTHEAST 30 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS 60 TO 70 MPH.
* TIMING: WINDS INCREASING WEDNESDAY EVENING WITH STRONGEST
WINDS EXPECTED OVERNIGHT WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY MORNING.
* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: CHICO...REDDING...BURNEY...GRASS VALLEY...
JACKSON...LAKEPORT...ALDER SPRINGS...PARADISE.
* IMPACTS: POSSIBLE POWER OUTAGES...DOWNED TREES AND POTENTIAL
PROPERTY DAMAGE...DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS.
SOUTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY-CARQUINEZ STRAIT AND DELTA-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...SACRAMENTO
155 PM PST TUE DEC 9 2014
...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 10 AM PST
WEDNESDAY...
...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM WEDNESDAY TO
2 PM PST THURSDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A DENSE FOG
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 10 AM PST WEDNESDAY.
* TIMING: LOCAL DENSE FOG IS POSSIBLE LATE TONIGHT...INCREASING IN
COVERAGE BY WEDNESDAY MORNING AND PERSISTING THROUGH LATE
MORNING.
* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: SACRAMENTO...FAIRFIELD.
* IMPACTS: REDUCED VISIBILITY AND INCREASED TRAVEL TIME.
WESTERN PLUMAS COUNTY/LASSEN PARK-
WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CHESTER...QUINCY...BLUE CANYON
...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM WEDNESDAY TO
2 PM PST THURSDAY BELOW 6000 FEET...
* WINDS: SOUTH 35 TO 50 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 80 MPH OR HIGHER.
* TIMING: LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY.
* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: CHESTER...QUINCY...BLUE CANYON.
* IMPACTS: DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS. WIDESPREAD TREE DAMAGE
AND POWER OUTAGES POSSIBLE.
* FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA...VISIT
HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/SACRAMENTO/HAZARDS
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS
OF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.
NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...STOCKTON...MODESTO
...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON
PST WEDNESDAY...
...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM WEDNESDAY TO
2 PM PST THURSDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A DENSE FOG
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON PST
WEDNESDAY.
* TIMING: LOCALLY DENSE FOG THIS EVENING WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE
OVERNIGHT LASTING THROUGH MIDDAY WEDNESDAY.
* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: MODESTO...STOCKTON...HIGHWAY 99.
* IMPACTS: REDUCED VISIBILITY AND INCREASED TRAVEL TIME.
SAN FRANCISCO-
COASTAL NORTH BAY...INCLUDING POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE-
NORTH BAY INTERIOR VALLEYS-NORTH BAY MOUNTAINS-
SAN FRANCISCO BAY SHORELINE-SAN FRANCISCO PENINSULA COAST-
EAST BAY INTERIOR VALLEYS-EAST BAY HILLS AND DIABLO RANGE-
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS-SANTA CLARA VALLEY...INCLUDING SAN JOSE-
SOUTHERN SALINAS VALLEY...ARROYO SECO...AND LAKE SAN ANTONIO-
SANTA LUCIA MOUNTAINS AND LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-
MOUNTAINS OF SAN BENITO AND INTERIOR MONTEREY COUNTY INCLUDING
PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK-
NORTHERN SALINAS VALLEY...HOLLISTER VALLEY...AND CARMEL VALLEY-
NORTHERN MONTEREY BAY-SOUTHERN MONTEREY BAY AND BIG SUR COAST-
202 PM PST TUE DEC 9 2014
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM WEDNESDAY TO 10 PM PST
THURSDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA HAS
ISSUED A HIGH WIND WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM
WEDNESDAY TO 10 PM PST THURSDAY. THE HIGH WIND WATCH IS NO LONGER
IN EFFECT.
* TIMING: WINDS INCREASING WEDNESDAY EVENING WITH THE STRONGEST
WINDS EXPECTED OVERNIGHT ACROSS THE NORTH BAY...INCREASING TO
THE SOUTH THROUGH THURSDAY.
* WINDS: WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH LOCAL GUSTS TO AROUND 50 MPH
FOR URBAN LOCATIONS. WINDS OF 30 TO 50 MPH WITH LOCAL GUSTS
GREATER THAN 70 MPH FOR HIGHER ELEVATION LOCATIONS.
* IMPACTS: WIDESPREAD DOWNED TREES...FALLING POWER LINES CREATING
THE POTENTIAL FOR POWER OUTAGES...POTENTIAL PROPERTY DAMAGE...AND
DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS.
* FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA...PLEASE VISIT
HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MONTEREY/HAZARDS
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS
OF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.
SURPRISE VALLEY CALIFORNIA-LASSEN-EASTERN PLUMAS-
EASTERN SIERRA COUNTIES-GREATER RENO-CARSON CITY-MINDEN AREA-
NORTHERN WASHOE COUNTY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CEDARVILLE...FORT BIDWELL...PORTOLA...
SUSANVILLE...SPARKS...GARDNERVILLE...VIRGINIA CITY...EMPIRE...
GERLACH
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM WEDNESDAY TO 4 AM PST
FRIDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM WEDNESDAY TO 4 AM PST
FRIDAY. THE HIGH WIND WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.
* TIMING: WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT WITH PEAK WINDS THURSDAY
AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
* WINDS: SOUTH 35 TO 55 MPH WITH GUSTS 65 TO 75 MPH. HIGH WINDS
WILL AFFECT ALL AREAS NOT JUST WIND PRONE LOCATIONS. WIND PRONE
LOCATIONS COULD SEE WIND GUSTS AROUND 90 MPH.
* IMPACTS: STRONG WINDS MAY COMBINE WITH SNOW TO CREATE LOCALIZED
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN HIGH ELEVATIONS OF LASSEN AND PLUMAS
COUNTIES. TRAVEL WILL BE HAZARDOUS FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES AND
SIGNIFICANT TURBULENCE FOR AIR TRAVEL. OUTDOOR HOLIDAY
DECORATIONS MAY BE DAMAGED OR LOST FROM THE STRONG WINDS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
DAMAGE TO TREES...POWER LINES AND PROPERTY IS POSSIBLE WITH WINDS
OF THIS MAGNITUDE. TRAVEL WILL BECOME HAZARDOUS FOR HIGH PROFILE
VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION AND REMAIN ALERT FOR SUDDEN GUSTS OR
CROSS WINDS.
GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA-MONO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...SOUTH LAKE TAHOE...TRUCKEE...
BRIDGEPORT...MAMMOTH LAKES...INCLINE VILLAGE
1226 PM PST TUE DEC 9 2014
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM WEDNESDAY TO 4 PM PST
THURSDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM WEDNESDAY TO 4 PM PST
THURSDAY. THE HIGH WIND WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.
* TIMING: WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT WITH PEAK WINDS THURSDAY
AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
* WINDS: SOUTH 30 TO 50 MPH WITH GUSTS 60 TO 70 MPH. RIDGE
WINDS WILL EXCEED 100 MPH AT TIMES. HIGH WINDS WILL AFFECT
ALL AREAS NOT JUST WIND PRONE LOCATIONS.
* IMPACTS: TRAVEL MAY BE HAZARDOUS FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES
AND SIGNIFICANT TURBULENCE FOR AIR TRAVEL. OUTDOOR HOLIDAY
DECORATIONS MAY BE DAMAGED OR LOST FROM THE STRONG WINDS.
HIGH WINDS MAY COMBINE WITH SNOW LATE THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND
EVENING FOR LOCALIZED BLIZZARD CONDITIONS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
DAMAGE TO TREES...POWER LINES AND PROPERTY IS POSSIBLE WITH WINDS
OF THIS MAGNITUDE. TRAVEL WILL BECOME HAZARDOUS FOR HIGH PROFILE
VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION AND REMAIN ALERT FOR SUDDEN GUSTS OR
CROSS WINDS.
Graphics Courtesy: National Weather Service Sacramento
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