UPDATED 10/13, 10:48 AM
The National Weather Service has issued a ‘Red Flag Warning’ due to dry conditions and gusty winds in the North Bay Mountains beginning Wednesday, October 14th at 5:00 AM through Friday, October 16th at 11:00 AM. Due to these conditions, PG&E has raised the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) potential to “WATCH” for Wednesday (10/14), Thursday (10/15) and Friday (10/16) in the North Bay, including parts of the City of Sonoma and Sonoma Valley. “WATCH” is PG&E’s medium level of potential for a PSPS. Residents in and around Sonoma may receive an automated phone call, text and or email from PG&E advising them of the “WATCH.” Learn more at PGE.com/weather or by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5009. Read the latest information from PG&E and for the most accurate information, enter an address on PG&E’s Potential Power Outage Map.
The City of Sonoma (City) has and continues to plan and prepare for PSPS. The purpose of this message is to provide as much early information as possible and to raise awareness and remind our community of the tools and resources available to monitor and prepare for potential power outages and PSPS events. The City has been working and preparing to ensure that the City services will continue during an extended power outage and that we are ready to support our community.
If PG&E determines the need to de-energize major transmission lines to prevent wildfires, we need to be prepared. The potential loss of power for an extended period of time creates new challenges and uncertainty. Please take measures to prepare today including:
- Update contact information with energy companies to sign up for important outage alerts o PG&E customers: pge.com/mywildfirealerts
- Fill up your vehicle(s) with fuel. In the event of a PSPS, gas pumps will likely be out of service.
- Power up cell phones and Identify backup charging methods for phones and keep hard copies of emergency numbers.
- Plan for any medical needs like medications that need to be refrigerated or devices that require power.
- Plan for the needs of pets and livestock.
- Build or restock emergency kits with flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and have cash on hand.
- Designate an emergency meeting location.
- Know how to manually open garage doors.
- Ensure any backup generators are ready to safely operate.
- Identify the unique needs of your family and loved ones in the area for your emergency plan.
The City has information at for Sonoma residents and businesses to help prepare for a potential power shutoff on our Extended Power Outage webpage (http://www.sonomacity.org/extended-power-outages/) as part of the City’s Emergency Preparedness information where you can find more resources and information about PG&E’s PSPS program and ways you can better prepare for extended power outages.
We encourage you to take some time to read through the PSPS resident information and take steps to ensure the safety, security and resiliency of your loved ones and community today by signing up for emergency alerts, making an evacuation plan, and building an emergency kit.