[UPDATE 10:28 a.m.] Widespread Power Outage Closes Many Humboldt County Schools

A widespread power outage that began around 5:30 this morning has knocked out electricity to much of Humboldt County. PG&E currently does not have a cause or an estimated time of restoration for most of the area.

Many area schools are opting to close under the circumstances. The Humboldt County Office of Education is updating what is the status of each school. They stated on their Facebook page this morning, “This is not a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event, but as it is so widespread, HCOE has begun updating the same spreadsheet we used for the PSPS to track school closures today.”

We’ve provided that link here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vS6v_YQ7MXU1miYaFvwL8_30w-Mh6-XQ59EYSGJHqStDPlWW1SZpPRKUflrOjI9nCQwsNAnZWm4D0Qc/pubhtml?fbclid=IwAR3Xzp9iVZr9QN-Ba4i93oz2wN_NN81stpp63Pp0Az5uvlwILwKECq_Eadk

“As always, the list is based on information received and if you have questions you should still attempt to contact your school/district directly,” HCOE stated.

UPDATE 7:32 a.m.: According to a text message sent out from College of the Redwoods, “Due to the PG&E power outage the Eureka, Del Norte and Klamath-Trinity campuses are closed and operations suspended until 12pm (noon) today, Friday January 17th. We will send further notice at that time.”

UPDATE from College of the Redwoods at 7:51 a.m., ” Correction, the Del Norte and Klamath-Trinity sites have power and essential staff should report to work. Check with your supervisors. Eureka still closed until further notice.”

UPDATE 10:28 a.m.: College of the Redwoods just sent out a message stating, “[P]ower is back up on the Eureka campus. Staff should report to work at noon today. The Flex programs will begin at 1pm per the original schedule.”

UPDATE 7:47 a.m.: Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services states, “PG&E has stated that restoration work has already begun and that most of Humboldt County should regain power by mid-late morning.” See here for more.

UPDATE 8:35 a.m.: Humboldt State University is partially closed. According to a press release sent out by HSU,

Due to power outage on campus and in the surrounding area, HSU campus is partially closed. Only Student Orientation is open with other on- and off-campus activities closed. Employees should not report to work, unless they hear from their supervisor.

Student orientation will be held at Jolly Giant Commons as scheduled. Check-in starts 8 a.m. Resources are being focused to support these students.

A decision regarding a full day campus closure will be made by 10:30 a.m.

Check humboldt.edu for updates.

UPDATE 8:55 a.m.: The Humboldt County Office of Education wants to make sure everyone knows that today’s GATE event at HSU has been cancelled.

UPDATE 10:28 a.m.: Power is returning to some areas. College of the Redwoods just sent out a message stating, “[P]ower is back up on the Eureka campus. Staff should report to work at noon today. The Flex programs will begin at 1pm per the original schedule.”