SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) meteorologists are forecasting
that the next wave of strong winter storms will impact Northern and
Central California starting tonight and continuing through Thursday
evening.
Forecast models indicate that a pair of potent storms will impact PG&E’s
territory beginning with an “atmospheric river” type system that will
generate heavy rain and gusty south winds across much of Northern and
Central California late tonight into Wednesday followed by another
dynamic storm on Thursday morning.
These storms are expected to produce heavy rainfall, high winds and a
chance of thunderstorms.
“As our customers prepare for this storm, we want to remind Californians
that this wet and windy weather can cause power outages. We encourage
our customers to have a plan and be prepared,” said PG&E principal
meteorologist Mike Voss.
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.
Safety reminders
-
If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely
dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it—and keep yourself and others
away. If you see damaged power lines or electrical equipment, call 911
immediately and then notify PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.
-
If a power line falls across a car that you're in, stay in the car. If
you must get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate
life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and
land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the
car when your feet touch the ground.
-
During a power outage, use battery-operated flashlights, and not
candles, due to the risk of fire. If you must use candles, keep them
away from drapes, lampshades and small children. Do not leave candles
unattended.
-
Don't use grills or other outdoor appliances or equipment indoors for
space heating or cooking, as these devices may emit carbon monoxide.
Customers with generators should make sure they are properly installed
by a licensed electrician. Improperly installed generators pose a
significant danger to crews working on power lines. Operate your
generator outside. Never operate it inside a building or garage.
-
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.
-
Check and restock your emergency kits with flashlights, batteries,
bottled water, non-perishable foods, medicines, etc. Also, ensure a
portable, battery-operated radio, TV or NOAA radio is on hand.
-
If you are driving and encounter emergency vehicles with activated
lights and sirens, remember to move over; it's the law in California.
Outage information
For more information about outages and ways to prepare and stay safe
during the storm, please visit www.pge.com/stormsafety.
If outages occur, customers can find details and information on
restoration by:
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas
and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San
Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of
the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and
Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/
and pge.com/news.
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Media Relations
415-973-5930
Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company