UPDATE: Power has been largely restored in San Francisco following a massive and unexplained blackout that hit the city on December 21, 2023. The outage affected approximately 130,000 homes and businesses just days before Christmas, prompting urgent responses from city officials and utility companies.
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) reported that around 3:45 p.m. local time Saturday, crews had “stabilized the grid” and anticipated no further spread of the outage. As of late Saturday night, about 95,000 customers had their power restored, leaving 35,000 still without electricity. Since then, an additional 10,000 customers have regained power.
The unexpected blackout also disrupted public transportation services, affecting the Muni lines, which include buses and light rail. Mayor Daniel Lurie announced on social media that city street lights were out, leading to increased police presence overnight to ensure safety. The San Francisco Police Department reassured residents that officers would be actively patrolling the city.
Emergency management officials have advised residents to “stay home if you can, avoid all unnecessary travel, and check on neighbors safely.” The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system temporarily closed its Powell Street and Civic Center stations, which have since reopened.
The cause of the blackout remains unclear, but a spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department indicated that a fire at a large PG&E substation in the South Market neighborhood may have contributed to the incident.
As the situation unfolds, residents are urged to stay tuned for further updates. The quick restoration of power is crucial as the city prepares for the holiday season, with many families dependent on reliable electricity for festive celebrations.
Stay connected for the latest developments and safety updates.
