Power Outage Update

Wednesday, October 09, 2019

Updated Thursday, Oct. 11, 2019, 3:20 p.m.

Power restoration underway

Power restoration is underway for most counties following a public safety power shutoff implemented by PG&E throughout the state starting Oct. 9. 

San Francisco State University remains open for classes and operations. For additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions, please see the previous announcement, posted Oct. 9.

This is the final update planned on the public safety power shutoff.

Updated Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, 5:15 p.m.

SF State remains open

Please be advised that San Francisco State University remains open for classes and operations until further notice. The University is actively monitoring conditions related to the ongoing PG&E public safety power shutoff. At this point, the shutoff does not apply to the City and County of San Francisco or to San Francisco State.

For additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions, please see the previous announcement, posted Oct. 9.

Updated Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, 3:30 p.m.

The latest PG&E public safety power shutoff and campus information

Editor’s note: Additional information on the power shutoff is available at PGE.com. High traffic on the website is affecting its performance.

At this point, the PG&E public safety power shutoff does not apply to the City and County of San Francisco or to San Francisco State University. We will remain open for classes and all activities for Wednesday, Oct. 9. Further updates will be posted as new information becomes available.

Background and more information

On Monday, Oct. 7, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) announced a Public Safety Power Shutoff event (PSPS) due to potential weather conditions including gusty winds and dry conditions that create a heightened fire risk in some communities. This high wind event began at approximately 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 and is expected to continue through the evening hours of Thursday, Oct. 10.

PG&E is proactively turning off power to customers in 30 counties. While customers in high fire-threat areas are more likely to be affected, PG&E advises that more than 5 million electric customers across Northern California could have their power shut off. This is because the energy system relies on power lines working together to provide electricity across the state.

To reiterate, the SFSU campus is not expected to be impacted and we anticipate remaining open.

If you are affected by the power shutdown 

For faculty and staff who live in an affected area and are directly impacted by a power outage, contact your supervisor or department chair if you are not able to make it to work. If you need to take time off during this impacted period, your time away will not be charged against your personal, vacation or sick leave time. Faculty who must cancel classes should notify their department chairs and students immediately.  

For faculty who might have students affected, please provide them with flexible alternatives that allow them to keep up with the course even if they can’t be in attendance. For students who live in an impacted area, please notify your professors of your situation immediately.

Additional Updates

San Francisco State University is closely monitoring weather alerts and advisories from PG&E. We will continue to provide updates to keep you informed. Watch for SFSU emails on Thursday (Oct. 10) and Friday (Oct. 11) as more information becomes available.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions Updated (posted Oct. 9, 2019)

What is a PG&E public safety power shutoff?

For public safety, it may be necessary for PG&E to turn off electricity when gusty winds and dry conditions, combined with heightened fire risk, are forecasted. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff or PSPS.

When is the PG&E public safety power shutdown?

Weather conditions, including potential fire risk, have been forecast that may impact electric service to the PG&E service area.  PG&E has reported that affected areas may experience power shutoffs from 4 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 through the evening hours of Thursday, Oct. 10.

Will campus be shut down?

As of Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 3 p.m., the SFSU campus is not impacted and we anticipate remaining open.

How Will SFSU communicate updates?

Watch for SFSU emails on Thursday (Oct. 10) and Friday (Oct. 11) as more information becomes available. SFSU’s campus alert notification system will be used if power is shutoff to the SFSU campus or in the event of a campus emergency due to wildfires and related unhealthy air quality.

How will I know if PG&E decides to cut off the power?

PG&E updates can be found here: https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/wildfires/public-safety-event.page?WT.pgeac=GlobalHeader-PSPS-Oct19

How can I find out if the campus is affected or if my house is affected?

You can check on the PSPS of any specific address at: https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/wildfires/psps-service-impact-map.page

As a supervisor, what should I do to support my team members?

We need to be flexible with employees who live in affected areas and are directly impacted by the power shutoff. We will not be requiring people to take vacation, personal or sick leave if they live in an area directly impacted.

What should I do to prepare for a power shutdown?

  • Create a safety plan for all members of your family, including pets
  • Stock up on non-perishable food
  • Prepare an emergency supply kit
  • Charge your mobile phone
  • Have flashlights ready.  Avoid using candles
  • Have a battery-powered or crank radio
  • Stock up on batteries
  • Keep cash on hand and a full tank of gas

Additional resources:

Link to PG&E

Link to San Francisco

 

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, 7:30 p.m.

PG&E is planning power outages throughout the state Wednesday, Oct. 9. 

At this time, San Francisco State University will remain open for classes and operations.