Get Ready & Prepare

Power Outage

Overview

Utility outages are electrical, natural gas, sewage, telecommunication, or water failures or interruptions that affect people. A power failure is any interruption or loss of electrical service due to disruption of power generation or transmission caused by an accident, sabotage, natural hazards, equipment failure, or fuel shortage. These interruptions can last anywhere from a few seconds to several days. Power failures are considered significant only if the local emergency management organization is required to coordinate basic services such as the provision of food, water, and heating as a result. Power failures are common with severe weather and winter storm activity. Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) is responsible for operating and maintaining the electrical transmission and distribution system in the County.

The scope and scale of electrical power disruption impacts will vary based on how widespread the disruption is, when and where it occurs, its duration, its cause, the characteristics of the affected population and region, and other concurrent emergencies. While the electric power industry does not have a universal agreement for classifying disruptions, it is important to recognize that different types of outages are possible, so that plans may be made to handle them effectively.

Electric power disruptions can generally be grouped into two categories:

• Intentional Electrical Disruptions: Some disruptions are purposefully done to upgrade, fix, or protect electrical power systems and/or the surrounding area. Intentional power disruptions can be scheduled or done without notice and can last several minutes to several days; when possible, the electrical service provider will give the Operational Area and its customers advance notice of the disruption. This includes Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). PG&E has stated they may shutoff power, to electrical grids or blocks of areas in advance of or during periods of heightened risk of wildland fires. In these instances, power will remain out for as long as extreme and dangerous conditions pose a potential fire risk. Once the electrical service provider deems it is safe to do so, power will be systematically restored.
• Unintentional Electrical Disruptions: Unintentional disruptions are not done purposefully, range in duration and often occur without notice. These types of disruptions include: accidents, malfunctions or equipment failures, intentional damage, and disasters, such as extreme weather/winds, earthquakes, floods, and wildfires.

Utility Outage Risk

The severity of utility failure and power interruptions varies too widely to be able to measure. Electricity, for example, may be out for a few hours to several weeks, depending on the cause of the event. All residents and visitors in the County are exposed to utility interruptions. This will continue as people are dependent on basic utility services such as electricity, water, wastewater, natural gas, etc. Utility disruptions can have both a direct impact on society and trigger or worsen disruptions to water, transportation, and other systems, that in turn may cause further societal impacts. Additional emergencies occurring during power disruptions can compound these effects and influence the timeline of restoration. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident, utility disruption can impact transportation/fuel, communications, housing, critical infrastructure, first response, and the economy.

Prepare for Utility Outages

Build a Kit: Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity. Plan for batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs when the power goes out, such as a portable charger or power bank. Have flashlights for every household member. Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long battery backup will last.

Create a Support Network: Identify people who can help you stay at home or evacuate during an extended power outage. Keep a paper copy of your contact list.

Stay Connected and Alert: Sign up for alerts. Have communication devices that work without home power, including a crank or battery radio, a non-cordless home phone, chargers/batteries for your cell phones and your computers.

Stock Food and Water: Store non-perishable food and water supplies for at least two weeks. Plan to use coolers and ice to extend food refrigeration and keep a thermometer in the fridge, freezer or cooler to monitor the food temperature.

Know your Medical Needs: Make alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices. Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.

Plan for Heating or Cooling your Home: Use methods such as sealing around windows to insulate your home. If the weather is very hot or very cold, plan to go to a location with air conditioning or with heat. Never use a generator, outdoor stoves or heaters indoors.

Install Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Install smoke alarms with battery backup on every floor, inside and outside sleeping areas. Test monthly. Make sure that you have one carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home.

Plan for Surge Protection: Make sure that you have current surge protectors for household electronics.

Plan how to Decide to Stay or Go: Plan how and when you will evacuate safely to maintain needs such as power-dependent medical devices. Keep your car gas tank at least half full.

Know how Power Outages May Affect Your Landline Service: Know what type of landline telephone service you have. Is your telephone service provided over broadband connections, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), or is it traditional landline telephone service, which is typically powered over copper telephone lines? Ask your service provider if you are unsure. Broadband-enabled telephone service will not work during electric outages without a battery or other backup power source. If you have a battery, test it periodically, understand how long it should last, learn how to replace it, and consider having a spare that you can charge before a storm. If you do not have a battery or other backup power source, ask your provider where you can purchase one. Traditional telephone service may work during electric power outages, though you may need to use a "corded" phone. Many cordless home phones rely on electric power to operate.

Charge Your Wireless Phone, Laptop, or Tablet if a Storm Is Coming: Also consider keeping extra batteries, a solar charger, and/or a car charger on hand. In the event of a power outage, you may be able to connect to the internet using secure WiFi, if it is available nearby. You may also be able to use your charged laptop or tablet to recharge wireless phones by connecting the devices with a USB cable, though doing so may drain your computer's battery power.

Stay Safe During a Utility Outage

Monitor Alerts: Check local weather reports and any notifications. by phone, television or radio. Utility officials may come to your door to alert you of a planned power outage. If available, sign up for local alerts and warning systems to notify you through a call or text to your phone.

Keep Food Cold and When in Doubt, Throw it Out: Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher. Eat your fresh, perishable foods first.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Never use a gas stove to heat your home and do not use outdoor stoves indoors for heating or cooking. If using a generator, keep it outside in a well ventilated area away from windows. Generators, camp stoves or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from window.

Prevent Power Overloads and Fire Hazards: Unplug appliances and electronics to avoid power overloads or damage from power surges. Use flashlights, not candles. Turn off the utilities only if you suspect damage or if local officials instruct you to do so. Your gas line can only be turned on by a qualified professional. If any circuit breakers have been tripped, contact an electrician to inspect them before turning them on.

Decide if You Need to Evacuate: Evacuate if your home is too hot or too cold, or if you have medical devices that need power. Communities often provide warming or cooling centers and power charging stations. Check with local officials about heating and cooling locations open near you.

Keep Away from Power Lines: Stay at least 35 feet away from fallen power lines and anything they are touching. Call 911 and let them know.

Avoid Electrical Shock in Flood Areas: Don’t go into flooded areas or use any electrical equipment or electronics that may have been submerged. Have a qualified electrical inspector check the electrical system.

Stay Safe After a Utility Outage

• Wait a few minutes before turning on major electric appliances to avoid issues if there’s a sharp increase in demand right after power is restored.
• If you think that electric power has been restored to your area, but your home is still without power, call your electric company.
• When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
• Never taste food to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they’ve been warm too long, food poisoning bacteria may have grown enough to make you sick.
• If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. Consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately for a new supply.
• Make sure refrigerators (below 40°F) and freezers (0°F) before restocking. Start with fresh foods.

Additional Resources

• Generator Safety
• Power Outage Information Sheet (PDF)
• Department of Energy
• Individuals with Disabilities and Others with Access and Functional Needs
• Centers for Disease Control
• Food Safety
• Prepare for Public Safety Power Shutoffs