[UPDATE 5:55 p.m.] Lights Out, Garberville: PG&E Is De-Energizing Lines

Press release from PG&E:

PG&E Asks Southern Humboldt County Customers to Prepare for a Power Outage Tonight Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is requesting customers in Benbow, Garberville, Redway and Whitethorn prepare for a power outage overnight tonight for timely safety work. PG&E will need to de-energize the lines impacting approximately 2,719 customers in those communities from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 9. This is necessary to make repairs at the Garberville substation.

“We understand the inconvenience a power outage can create, so we are doing everything we can to notify our customers in the Garberville area, so they can prepare as soon as possible and stay safe,” said Carl Schoenhofer, Senior Manager for PG&E’s Humboldt Division.

Tips for Preparing for an Outage

 

• Have fresh batteries on hand for flashlights. Please do not use candles for fire risk. 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 omit 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.
• You may want to 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.

Ways to Find Outage Information

• Visit www.pge.com/outages to sign up for outage alerts via text, email or phone for outage information. You can also find restoration information here.

• Follow PG&E on social media for updates:

o   PG&E on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PGE4Me

o   PG&E on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pacificgasandelectric

• Call PG&E’s outage information line at 1-800-743-5002.

For more information on how to keep your loved one safe, please visit www.pge.com/safety.

UPDATE 5:55 p.m.: We confirmed that the outage is happening with Deanna Contreras, a PG&E spokesperson. She said that this situation was urgent and they didn’t have time to do their normal protocol like sending out mail first. But, she said, most people who will be affected have either had a robo call or PG&E doesn’t have a current number for them.

Unfortunately, she said, the call center answering the 1 800 number may not have the latest information and may erroneously be telling callers there is no planned outage. At least one reader has been told that there is no outage. But, Contreras reaffirms there is a planned outage.