PG&E Readies Resources, Crews Ahead of Storm Bringing Heavy Rain and Wind to Northern California

Rhea-AI Summary

PG&E is preparing for a major storm system expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Northern California through the weekend. The company has positioned crews and resources across its service area to ensure swift power restoration in case of outages. PG&E is utilizing storm outage prediction models with AI and machine learning to anticipate potential damage and optimize resource deployment.

The company has pre-staged essential equipment including power poles, powerlines, and transformers throughout its service area. PG&E has also implemented real-time customer update systems through their online outage center and is providing storm safety guidelines for residents, including proper generator usage, flashlight preparation, and emergency protocols for downed power lines.

Positive

• Implementation of AI and machine learning for storm damage prediction
• Pre-positioned crews and equipment for rapid response
• Established real-time outage monitoring and customer communication systems

Negative

• Potential widespread power outages and service disruptions
• Risk of infrastructure damage from severe weather conditions

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has positioned crews and resources across its service area to support the safe and swift response repair to damage and restore power outages that may result from the forecasted heavy rain and strong winds that will impact much of Northern California beginning today and through the weekend. The National Weather Service has issued advisories, watches, and warnings throughout portions of the territory; these can be viewed on the PG&E Weather Map.

According to PG&E Meteorologist Evan Duffey, "strong winds will arrive in the northern part of PG&E's service area Friday with the central and southern regions seeing adverse weather follow on Friday night and Saturday. This will be a fast-moving storm that will also deliver significant precipitation and widespread damaging winds. We've worked closely with our Operations teams to provide insights and data around where the strongest impact from the storm will take place."

PG&E uses storm outage prediction models coupled with AI and machine learning to determine potential storm-related damage along with the potential timing, location, and number of power outages to pre-position storm response resources including, electric crews, troublemen, distribution line technicians, and system inspectors who serve as the utility's first responders, along with personnel who will monitor electric incidents for public safety.

"Our crews are in position and prepared to safely and quickly respond in support of our customers and hometowns following this storm," said Peter Kenny, PG&E Senior Vice President, Electric Operations.

PG&E has also prestaged power poles, powerlines, transformers, and other electric equipment at yards throughout its service area to make equipment repairs and restore power to affected areas safely and as quickly as possible.

Keeping Customers Informed

If an outage does occur, PG&E customers can find real-time updates via the online outage center, including status updates the assessments, repair and estimated time of restoration.

Renters and others without a PG&E account may also use this portal to sign up for outage notifications by text, email, or phone.

Daily updates around storm response and restoration will be available on PG&E Currents.

Storm Safety Tips

As PG&E follows its plan to prepare for the storm, customers are urged to prepare their families as well.

• Never touch downed wires: 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 9-1-1 and then PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.
• Use generators safely: Customers with standby electric generators should ensure they are properly installed by a licensed electrician in a well-ventilated area. Improperly installed generators pose a significant danger to customers, as well as crews working on powerlines. If using portable generators, be sure they are in a well-ventilated area.
• Use flashlights, not candles: During a power outage, use battery-operated flashlights and not candles, due to the risk of fire. And keep extra batteries on hand. If you must use candles, please keep them away from drapes, lampshades, animals and small children. Do not leave candles unattended.
• Have a backup phone: If you have a telephone system that requires electricity to work, such as a cordless phone or answering machine, plan to have a standard telephone or cellular phone ready as a backup. Having a portable charging device helps to keep your cell phone running.
• Have fresh drinking water and ice: Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer to prevent food spoilage.
• Secure your outside furniture: Strong winds can blow lawn chairs and other outdoor items into powerlines.
• Turn off appliances: If you experience an outage, unplug or turn off all electrical appliances to avoid overloading circuits and to prevent fire hazards when power is restored. Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns.
• Safely clean up: After the storm has passed, be sure to safely clean up. Never touch downed wires and always call 8-1-1 or visit 811express.com at least two full business days before digging to have all underground utilities safely marked.

Other tips can be found at: Safety and Preparedness, Storm Safety, and Safety Action Center.

About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

How is PG&E (PCG) preparing for the Northern California storm system?

PG&E has positioned crews and resources across its service area, pre-staged equipment, and is using AI-powered prediction models to anticipate and respond to potential outages and damage.

What areas will be affected by PG&E's (PCG) storm response operations?

The storm response operations will cover Northern California, with impacts expected to begin in the northern regions on Friday and extend to central and southern regions Friday night and Saturday.

How can customers track PG&E (PCG) power outages during the storm?

Customers can track outages through PG&E's online outage center, which provides real-time updates, status assessments, and estimated restoration times.

What technology is PG&E (PCG) using to predict storm damage?

PG&E is using storm outage prediction models coupled with AI and machine learning to predict potential storm-related damage, timing, location, and number of power outages.

What emergency resources has PG&E (PCG) deployed for the storm?

PG&E has deployed electric crews, troublemen, distribution line technicians, system inspectors, and pre-staged equipment including power poles, powerlines, and transformers.