A significant power outage affected approximately 130,000 homes and businesses in San Francisco over the weekend, with 16,000 customers still without electricity as of Sunday afternoon. The outage began on Saturday, March 16, 2024, due to a fire at the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) substation located at 8th and Mission streets.
As the blackout struck during a busy weekend leading up to Christmas, many shops and restaurants were forced to close, disrupting normal operations. The outage also caused Waymo to suspend its autonomous taxi service after vehicles stalled at critical intersections, contributing to traffic congestion throughout the city.
Restoration Efforts Underway
PG&E crews managed to restore power to approximately 114,000 customers by Sunday, including 4,000 on the same day. Despite these efforts, outages still persisted in areas such as the Presidio, Richmond District, and small pockets of downtown San Francisco. The utility has deployed additional engineers and electricians to expedite the restoration process.
The neighborhoods most significantly impacted included the Richmond and Sunset districts, Haight-Ashbury, Hayes Valley, Forest Hill, and parts of Golden Gate Park. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management reported widespread disruptions to public transit, including the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system and the Muni network, which left many residents stranded without a means of getting home.
BART stations at Powell Street and Civic Center were temporarily closed, and Muni services were suspended before gradually resuming later in the evening. The outages also impeded emergency vehicle access, prompting a critical response from city officials.
Community Support and Future Plans
Despite the challenges, PG&E stabilized the grid by 16:00 on Saturday, preventing further outages. The company successfully restored most customers within six to eight hours of the initial blackout. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with the incident, although the situation remains under investigation.
In response to the ongoing challenges, PG&E has opened a Community Resource Center in the Richmond District at 251 18th Ave.. This facility offers charging stations for electronics, free Wi-Fi, bottled water, snacks, and customer support. It operates from 17:00 to 22:00 on Sunday, and from 08:00 to 22:00 on Monday.
Additionally, PG&E is collaborating with the 211 Providers Network to conduct wellness checks for vulnerable customers and is working with the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers to provide food vouchers and hotel accommodations.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie stated on social media that PG&E expects to restore full power by 14:00 on Monday, March 18, 2024. He urged residents without power to visit the Richmond Rec Center for support and resources.
In a statement, PG&E confirmed their commitment to restoring all remaining customers impacted by the outage and indicated that crews would work tirelessly until the situation is resolved. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management has also communicated that charging locations are available for residents still without power.
As the city grapples with the aftermath, PG&E is preparing for incoming storms that could further affect service reliability. The situation remains fluid, and city officials continue to monitor developments closely.
