UPDATED 11/19, 3:00pm:
Due to changes in the weather forecast, PG&E has informed the City of Oakland that it no longer anticipates previously-announced public safety power shutoffs in Alameda County on Wednesday, 11/20.
UPDATED 11/18, 6:00pm:
PG&E has notified local officials that due to the fire risk posed by extreme weather conditions in the forecast, they are projecting a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) starting on Wednesday in a number of Northern California counties, including Alameda County. This is subject to change or cancellation depending on weather conditions.
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 4 AM Wednesday to 7 AM Thursday due to high winds and dry conditions, which will likely lead to critical fire weather conditions for the higher elevations.
If PG&E implements the PSPS, it estimates that about 11,000 Oakland residents—primarily in the Oakland Hills from the Berkeley to the San Leandro borders—may be affected. If the outages do occur, it is likely that schools, libraries, recreation centers and Head Start centers located in the outage area may be forced to close.
The decision to turn off power, and the speed at which it is restored, is planned and managed solely by PG&E. The City of Oakland is ready to respond to high fire danger and the effects of the power shutoff. PG&E began to send out public notifications today to their opt-in customers and they are providing information on their website and through media releases at pge.com.
The City of Oakland will continue to update the public through this page as this situation develops.
For updates on public facility and park closures, please visit:
- Oakland City Facility Closures & Restrictions
- Oakland Road Closures during PG&E shutoff [none at this time]
- Oakland Unified School Distruct (OUSD) Updates
Stay Prepared
Below are preparation tips we recommend residents use to prepare. For more, please visit the Ready for Wildfire page on the Cal Fire website:
- Subscribe to ACAlert.org for alerts and updates via text message, phone calls, or email.
- Confirm or update your contact information with PG&E. PG&E will send notifications to the contacts on file in advance of a shutoff, when possible.
- Create a safety plan for all members of your family, including pets. A Public Safety Power Shutoff can happen at any time of day or night, due to changing weather conditions.
- Prepare an emergency supply kit. Include enough water, non-perishable food, toiletries, and medicine to last your household—including pets—for one week. Be sure to refresh your kit once a year.
- Determine if your landline will work during an outage. Keep a mobile phone as backup.
- Keep mobile phones and other devices charged.
- Keep your gas tank full and cash on hand; during power shutoffs, gas pumps and ATMs won’t work.
- If you have a generator, make sure it's ready to operate safely.
- Have flashlights available for your household. Avoid using candles.
- Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.
- For individuals dependent on electricity for a medical device, please review the checklist provided by the Pacific ADA Center and by PG&E at prepareforpowerdown.com.
- If you have a driveway, use it. Keep narrow roads clear for emergency vehicles and evacuations.
- Create a plan– Develop an evacuation plan and identify a safe meeting place away from the home in the event you become separated. Clearly identify safe routes out of the home in case the primary exit is unavailable.
Key Phone Numbers for Assistance
· Only call 911 for life-threatening situations requiring immediate attention
· Call 311 for City maintenance issues such as a fallen tree or blocked street
· Call 211 for critical information regarding emergency shelters, disaster relief services, assistance with temporary housing, and other basic social needs.