Widespread Outage Leaves Key San Francisco Neighborhoods in the Dark

A major power outage struck San Francisco on Saturday. It left tens of thousands of residents without electricity. The failure impacted critical infrastructure and disrupted daily life across the city.

Scale and Impact of the Blackout

Pacific Gas & Electric reported widespread outages. Over 100,000 customers initially lost power according to their outage center. The number later settled around 39,520 affected households.Key neighborhoods were plunged into darkness. The Presidio, Richmond District, and Sunset District were hit hard. Golden Gate Park and areas west of Twin Peaks also lost power.Public transit experienced severe disruptions. BART closed its Powell Street and Civic Center stations. San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency bypassed multiple underground Muni stations.

Safety Response and Public Guidance

City officials activated emergency protocols immediately. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management issued public safety advice.Residents were told to treat non-functioning traffic lights as four-way stops. People were advised to avoid non-essential travel. Officials warned against using gas stoves or generators indoors due to carbon monoxide risk.According to The San Francisco Standard, the fire department responded to an incident. A fire was reported at a PG&E substation on Mission Street. This likely contributed to the widespread power loss.

Investigating the Cause of the Major Power Failure

Utility crews worked to determine the exact cause. PG&E has not released an official statement on the root issue. Restoration times varied significantly across different zones.

Substation Fire and Containment Efforts

The San Francisco Fire Department provided crucial details. They received a call about the substation fire at 2:16 p.m. Lieutenant Mariano Elias confirmed the fire was 80% contained.No injuries or structural damage were reported from the fire. Elias directly linked the substation incident to the citywide outages. The fire’s location at a key electrical hub explains the massive scale.Power restoration estimates shifted throughout the afternoon. PG&E’s website initially suggested a 3:45 p.m. restoration for some areas. For many customers, however, the restoration time remained undetermined for hours.

City Services and Resident Adaptations

The outage tested the city’s emergency preparedness. Residents faced challenges with transportation and home systems. Officials urged people to keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve food.Major appliances were to be turned off to prevent power surges. The scale meant about 30% of the city was without electricity at the peak. This event marks one of the largest recent outages for the city.Utility companies prioritize critical facilities during such events. Hospitals and emergency services typically receive restoration priority. General residential and commercial areas often wait longer for full power return.

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This massive PG&E power outage underscores the vulnerability of urban electrical grids. The event disrupted one of America’s major tech and cultural hubs for hours. Officials continue investigating the precise chain of events that led to the widespread failure.

Disclaimer: This article is based on reports from official city agencies and reputable news outlets. Information regarding restoration times and cause is subject to change as the situation develops.

References: The San Francisco Standard, PG&E Outage Center, San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, San Francisco Fire Department, NBC Bay Area.