Update 10/20, 10:00 AM – Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is monitoring forecasted high winds and dry conditions due to arrive this week and has begun their advance notifications to customers in areas where PG&E may need to proactively turn off the power. The potential PSPS starting Thursday morning could impact a portion of Sonoma County. At this time, it appears that the City of Sonoma will not be impacted. Customers can look up their address online to find out if their location is being monitored for the potential safety shutoff at https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outages/map/
RED FLAG WARNING 10/19 – 10/21 & FIRE WEATHER WATCH 10/21 – 10/23
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a ‘Red Flag Warning’ beginning Monday, October 19th at 11:00 PM through Wednesday, October 21st at 8:00 AM due to dry conditions and gusty winds in the North Bay Mountains. In addition, NWS has issued a Fire Weather Watch beginning Wednesday evening (10/21) through Friday morning (10/23) due to offshore winds and dry conditions.
PSPS “WATCH” – THURSDAY, 10/22 & FRIDAY 10/23
Due to these conditions, PG&E has raised the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) potential to “WATCH” for Thursday (10/22) and Friday (10/23) in the North Bay, including Sonoma County. “WATCH” is PG&E’s medium level of potential for a PSPS. Residents in and around Sonoma Valley 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. If PG&E determines that they will proactively shut off power, the most accurate way to determine if a location will be impacted is to enter an address on PG&E’s Potential Power Outage Map.
PREPARING FOR AN EXTENDED POWER OUTAGE
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f 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: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.
- 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.