Major San Francisco Power Outage Leaves Thousands in the Dark Overnight

A massive power outage struck San Francisco on Saturday. It left tens of thousands without electricity.

The outage began on December 20, 2025. It affected large areas of the city.

Officials warned many residents would remain without power overnight. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) worked to restore service.

The situation caused widespread disruption during a winter evening.

Extent of the San Francisco Power Outage

Initially, about 130,000 customers lost power. The blackout was widespread across the city.

According to the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, restoration efforts began quickly. Power returned for many throughout the day.

However, a significant number remained in the dark. Officials stated approximately 40,000 customers faced an overnight outage.

PG&E provided updates on social media. They could not confirm a precise restoration time for all areas.

Mayor Daniel Lurie shared a statement on the situation. He acknowledged the progress but urged caution.

He asked residents to stay safe and look out for neighbors. The city’s emergency services were activated.

Cause and Emergency Response to the Blackout

The cause of the outage was under investigation. A fire at a PG&E substation was reported.

The San Francisco Fire Department responded to the incident. It occurred at 8th and Mission Streets.

Fire officials contained the blaze. No injuries or major structural damage was reported.

Lieutenant Mariano Elias suggested the fire contributed to the blackout. The exact technical failure was still being assessed by PG&E.

Authorities issued critical safety advice for affected residents. They recommended using flashlights instead of candles.

People were told to keep refrigerator doors closed. This was to preserve food as long as possible.

Space heater safety was also emphasized. Officials urged the public to check on vulnerable neighbors.

Residents were reminded to call 911 for life-threatening emergencies only. This kept lines open for critical needs.

Ongoing Restoration Efforts

Crews worked through the night to repair damage. Restoration times varied by neighborhood.

The scale of the outage complicated repair work. PG&E prioritized critical facilities and large residential areas.

The San Francisco power outage highlighted the vulnerability of urban infrastructure. Full restoration for all customers continued into the next day as crews addressed the complex damage.