Sonoma County Responds to PG&E’sPotential Power Shut-Off with Advanced Preparation

This afternoon, the County of Sonoma acted promptly to prepare for the potential shut down of PG&E power to areas of Sonoma County. PG&E has notified the County that they may activate their Public Safety Power Shut-Off protocols due to extreme weather, and could potentially initiate a power shut down in the unincorporated northeastern parts of Sonoma County within the next 24 hours.

Currently, as of 5:30 pm, the areas in Sonoma County PG&E anticipates that could be effected by the potential power shut off includes Knights Valley and unincorporated parts of Calistoga, potentially impacting approximately 400 customers. The County of Sonoma is ready to respond to the effects of the power outage; however, the decision to turn off the power and the speed at which it is restored is planned and managed solely by PG&E.

“We are being proactive and mobilizing our resources due to the potential power loss and increased fire threat,” stated Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, James Gore. “Fire agencies in Sonoma County have increased staffing resources including adding a strike team, task force, water tender, and an extra fire and EMS dispatcher during this heightened threat.”

The County of Sonoma Emergency Management Division has proactively taken steps in preparation for a potential power shut down after being notified by PG&E of their new Public Safety Power Shutoff program. The Emergency Management Division has developed an Electrical System De-energization Response Plan and put it into motion. Additionally, we are currently operating a warm Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and we are actively coordinating with our operational area response partners and monitoring the situation.

You can check if your home is in an area where power may be shut off on the PG&E website: https://m.pge.com/#high-fire-threat-map. PG&E is monitoring weather patterns, and will provide updates to customers and the County of Sonoma when information is available.

Emergency Management officials remind residents and visitors that it is important to have a plan. FEMA recommends taking steps to prepare for a power outage, including:

Stay informed –

• Sign up for safety information on Nixle by texting your zip code to 888-777.
• For information on immediate threats to personal safety or property, tailored to an address of your choosing, sign up for SoCo Alerts www.SoCoAlert.com.
• Sonoma County will send a Wireless Emergency Alert to areas if evacuations are ordered, intended to reach all cell phones in the area. Learn more: socoemergency.org

Review your evacuation and communication plan – 

• Identify several evacuation routes for your location in case roads are blocked, and tell someone out of the area which routes you plan to use.
• If you will evacuate by car, keep your car fueled and ready to go.
• Make a list of what you’ll want to take with you if you leave your home quickly. Consider the Five P’s of Evacuation:
  • 1) People/Pets; 2) Prescriptions; 3) Papers; 4) Personal Needs; 5) Priceless Items
• Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.

• Reviewing the supplies that are available in case of a power outage. Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member. Have enough nonperishable food and water.
• Using a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
• Keeping mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.
• Know how to manually open electric garage doors and gates.

For more information, including what to do during a power outage, visit ready.gov.

Make sure you can receive updated information from PG&E by updating your contact information at pge.com/mywildfirealerts.