Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Vacaville and mobilized local storm response teams in anticipation of significant storms forecasted to strike the region. These storms are expected to bring damaging winds and heavy rainfall, threatening to cause widespread power outages.
The EOC serves as the central hub for monitoring real-time conditions of the electrical grid and outage data throughout PG&E’s service area, which includes the Bay Area. According to Rihaan Gangat, a senior meteorologist for PG&E, the upcoming weather event is notable as it will feature two distinct weather systems incoming in just a short span. “We probably have one or two storms like this every couple of years or so. This one is a little bit more unique,” he explained.
Wind, particularly this week, poses the greatest threat for outages, prompting PG&E to urge its customers to prepare accordingly. Gangat indicated that the first system could lead to numerous outages, with a second system following shortly after, likely resulting in similar disruptions.
The EOC will operate around the clock over the next several days, coordinating response crews and resources across a broad area. PG&E spokesperson Denny Boyle commented on the scope of the situation, stating, “This one potentially has impacts across the whole service territory.” He added, “Our question is, do we have the crew capacity to respond, or do we need to ask for help?”
More than 5,500 workers and contractors are on standby for storm duties, featuring over 1,500 personnel dedicated to gas and electric repairs. These crews are strategically positioned in areas projected to experience the most severe impacts. “Both the crews in the field and the crew here are all going to be here through Christmas,” Boyle noted. “We’ll be away from our families, but we’re going to be doing what we need to do to get the power back for our communities.”
As the storms approach, PG&E’s commitment to restoring power and ensuring the safety of its customers remains at the forefront, showcasing the utility’s readiness to weather the storm effectively. With comprehensive planning and a substantial workforce, the hope is to minimize disruption and maintain essential services during this challenging weather period.