The County of Sonoma and City of Santa Rosa Prepare for Confirmed Extended Power Shutoff, Advocate for State Emergency Proclamation

The County of Sonoma and the City of Santa Rosa are advocating for a gubernatorial emergency proclamation in preparation for the consequences of the current planned power shutoff. PG&E informed County and City officials today that critical current weather conditions persist and will result in a power shutoff. Both agencies proclaimed a state of local emergency on Monday after being notified of the possibility of the now confirmed extended de-energization event by PG&E.

The National Weather Service has upgraded the Fire Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning for the North Bay Mountains and North Bay Interior Valleys, which includes all of Santa Rosa and a majority of Sonoma County, from 5 a.m. Wednesday, October 9, to 5 p.m. Thursday, October 10. In addition, a Wind Advisory has been issued for the upper elevations of Sonoma County, above 1,000 feet, from 6 a.m. Wednesday to 3 p.m. Thursday.

The County of Sonoma estimates that 262,000 residents will be impacted by this event. Residents should be prepared for power outages beginning late tonight or in the very early hours of Wednesday, October 9. PG&E has indicated they expect to begin to restore power on Thursday, October 11 at about 12 p.m. It may take them up to five days to fully restore power to all customers across Northern California. PG&E expects damage to their system which could cause restoration delays. Winds may also impact their infrastructure outside of their planned power shutoff areas. All residents are advised to be prepared to lose power. 

PG&E will open a Community Resource Center for impacted residents in Sonoma County at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building located at 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa. The Community Resource Center will open Wednesday, October 9, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will open daily until power is restored.

Residents are also advised to check the PG&E map here: https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/wildfires/psps-service-impact-map.page.

The County of Sonoma and City of Santa Rosa Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) remain activated to support residents and to respond to the impacts of an extended power outage. 

For updates and to identify service areas that may be affected by a potential power outage, residents should visit www.pge.com/pspsand check individual addresses on PG&E’s interactive potential outagemap.

To learn more about a PG&E’s power shutoff, visit www.PGE.com/weatheror call PG&E’s 24-hour power outage information center at (800) 743-5002. 

Customers can update their contact information to receive notifications sent by PG&E online or by phone, in English, Spanish, and other languages at (866) 743-6589. 

The City and County are aware that there have been difficulties with PG&E’s website due to high volume of use. Residents can also visit this GIS map to find more information specific to Sonoma County. 

For updates and emergency information from the City of Santa Rosa, visit www.srcity.org/emergency.

To find more information about preparing for power outages visit www.SoCoEmergency.org. Sign up for Sonoma County emergency alerts on SoCoAlert.org.

For questions about the power shutoff, contact Sonoma County 2-1-1. Do not call 9-1-1 unless it is an emergency.