PG&E to Customers: Have a Plan for Upcoming Weather Systems

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric (PCG) is preparing for incoming storms in Northern and Central California, following a record-dry February with only 0.20 inches of precipitation. PG&E meteorologists expect valley rain, low-altitude snow, and possible thunderstorms through Wednesday. The company has implemented a Storm Outage Prediction Model to efficiently respond to outages. Customers are advised to prepare for potential power outages with safety tips including avoiding downed wires and using flashlights instead of candles. PG&E serves over 16 million people in California.

Positive

• PG&E's Storm Outage Prediction Model allows for proactive preparation and rapid response to outages.
• Anticipated inclement weather may help alleviate drought conditions in the area.

Negative

• February's record-low precipitation could indicate ongoing drought issues, impacting long-term water supply.
• Potential for power outages during storms could disrupt services to millions.

After an unusually dry February across much of Northern and Central California, there’s finally some potential for rain in the weather forecast.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) meteorologists say a series of weather systems will impact its service area starting this afternoon and continuing through Wednesday, when the weather is expected to peak. PG&E meteorologists anticipate inclement weather, with valley rain showers, low-altitude snow and the possibility of thunderstorms throughout Northern and Central California.

After the atmospheric river-fueled storm in late January, California had its driest February on record with 0.20 inch of precipitation, topping the previous record of 0.31 inch set back in 1964, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Weather stations across the Bay Area and interior parts of Northern California tied or set records for driest February on record, the agency said. San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Oakland and other stations received no precipitation during the month, setting local records for the driest February.

PG&E’s meteorology team has developed a Storm Outage Prediction Model that incorporates real-time weather forecasts, historical data and system knowledge to predict where and when storm impacts will be most severe. This model enables the company to pre-stage crews and equipment as storms approach to enable rapid response to outages.

PG&E is urging its customers to take the necessary steps to be prepared and stay safe.

Safety Tips:

• 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 911 and by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.
• Use flashlights, not candles: During a power outage, use battery-operated flashlights, and not candles, due to the risk of fire. If you must use candles, please keep them away from drapes, lampshades 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.
• Have fresh drinking water, ice: Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer during an outage to prevent foods from spoiling. Blue Ice from your picnic cooler also works well in the freezer.
• Use generators safely: Customers with standby electric generators should make sure 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 power lines. If using portable generators, be sure they are in a well-ventilated area.
• 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. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal.
• Safely clean up: After the inclement weather has passed, be sure to safely clean up. Never touch downed wires and always call 811 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 pge.com/beprepared

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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210308005737/en/

FAQ

What is the expected weather forecast for PG&E service areas?

PG&E meteorologists predict valley rain showers, low-altitude snow, and possible thunderstorms from this afternoon through Wednesday.

How dry was California in February 2023?

February 2023 recorded only 0.20 inches of precipitation, marking the driest February on record, surpassing the previous record of 0.31 inches in 1964.

What should customers do to prepare for storms according to PG&E?

Customers are advised to prepare for outages by avoiding downed wires, using flashlights instead of candles, and having backup power sources.

What service area does Pacific Gas and Electric cover?

PG&E serves more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California.

How can PG&E's Storm Outage Prediction Model help?

The model helps PG&E predict storm impacts, allowing them to pre-stage crews and equipment for rapid response.