[UPDATE 11:06 a.m.: Good News] Power Outage Leaves Nearly 7,000 Without Electricity in Fortuna Area
A map from PG&E shows the outage area covering a large portion of Fortuna and extending east toward Hydesville, affecting neighborhoods across the Eel River Valley. [Screenshot of the PG&E Power Outage Map]
According to information from PG&E’s outage tracker, the outage was reported at 8:19 a.m. today. Approximately 6,844 customers are currently affected. The PG&E Outage Map says crews are working to inspect the electrical system and identify damaged sections before power can be safely restored. An estimated restoration time has not yet been determined.
One report over the scanner from fire personnel stated that the Starbucks in Fortuna experienced a power surge followed by smoke inside the building.
PG&E described the event as an “unplanned outage” and said crews are evaluating the system to determine the cause.
UPDATE 9:56 a.m.: Nearly all customers have regained service.
UPDATE 10:04 a.m.: Power that briefly appeared to be restored across the Fortuna and Hydesville area has gone out again for many customers in the Fortuna area.
Earlier this morning, PG&E’s outage map showed electricity restored in the affected area, and several residents reported that their power had come back on. However, the utility’s outage tracker now shows a new outage reported at 9:48 a.m. Monday, March 16, affecting 1,636 customers.
PG&E Outage Map describes the situation as an unplanned outage and says crews are continuing to evaluate the electrical system to identify damaged sections and make necessary repairs before power can be safely restored. The utility has not yet provided an estimated restoration time.
The outage follows a larger earlier outage reported at 8:19 a.m. that left nearly 7,000 customers without power in Fortuna and the Hydesville area after what appeared to be a surge. As of the latest update, PG&E indicates that crews remain in the area working on inspections and repairs.
UPDATE 11:06 a.m.: Good News. PG&E Outage Map now shows that power is restored to nearly all customers in the area.
In a text message earlier today, PG&E said the outage occurred while crews were performing work on a transmission line when a piece of equipment experienced a problem. The utility reports that three troubleworkers were sent to the scene to assess the issue and carry out repairs.
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Text said 10:45AM planned restoration of power
Hope so! Optimum is saying 1:10 for restoration of their service.
Power restored 9:45am
That’s one hell of a coffee
Time to get your “smoken” hot Starbucks drink. That is a widespread power outage. I know the crews will be working hard to trace the cause of that unplanned outage.
Still out at strongs creek ( part of it).
Apparently, the person who read my comment needs to realize that I used “smoken” because the coffee shop was filled with smoke due to a power surge. Our they just don’t like PG&E. With that said, I hope your power is the very last one to come on!
That was me. I have no issues with smoken or pg&e. It was your fatuous last sentence that got a thumbs down.
Bill, wherever you be let your thumbs by free. Do you have power yet? I guess I will get another thumbs down for that.
Is it just me or does ‘a piece of equipment experienced a problem’ sound like code for “it fell into the power lines/transformer/something else”? Glad it’s resolved.
“In a text message earlier today, PG&E said the outage occurred while crews were performing work on a transmission line when a piece of equipment experienced a problem. The utility reports that three troubleworkers were sent to the scene to assess the issue and carry out repairs.”
Translation “Somebody messed up and sent a boss to clean up his mess” 😉