UPDATE: Power has been restored to most of the 130,000 homes and businesses in San Francisco affected by a massive outage, but more than 16,000 customers remain without electricity as of Sunday afternoon, December 3, 2023.
The outage began Saturday afternoon, caused by a fire at the utility’s substation at 8th and Mission streets. This blackout struck during one of the busiest weekends before Christmas, severely impacting shops and restaurants, forcing multiple closures and creating a significant human impact.
Waymo, the autonomous taxi service, was also forced to suspend operations as vehicles stalled at intersections, contributing to gridlock throughout the city. Public transit systems, including the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the San Francisco Muni, experienced significant disruptions, leaving many residents stranded.
As of now, crews from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) have restored power to approximately 114,000 customers, including 4,000 on Sunday. The areas still affected include the Presidio, Richmond District, Golden Gate Park, and small sections of downtown San Francisco.
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management reported significant citywide transit disruptions on Saturday and urged residents to avoid nonessential travel while treating downed traffic signals as four-way stops. BART stations at Powell Street and Civic Center closed during the outage, and Muni services were suspended before gradually restoring service in the evening.
“PG&E has informed us that they expect full power to be restored by 2 p.m. on Monday,” said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie on X. He also emphasized the availability of resources for those still without power at the Richmond Rec Center located at 251 18th Ave.
“We have temporarily suspended our ride-hailing services given the broad power outage in San Francisco. We are focused on keeping our riders safe and ensuring emergency personnel have the clear access they need to do their work,” said Suzanne Philion, a spokesperson for Waymo.
In response to the crisis, PG&E has opened a Community Resource Center in the Richmond District, providing charging stations for devices, free Wi-Fi, bottled water, snacks, and customer support. The center operates from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, and then from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday.
PG&E reports that they have mobilized additional engineers and electricians to expedite restoration efforts. The utility has stabilized the grid as of 4 p.m. Saturday, helping to prevent further outages.
As recovery continues, residents are advised to stay informed and utilize available resources. PG&E expects to restore all remaining customers by Monday afternoon, while simultaneously preparing for incoming storms that could affect other areas.
Authorities are actively conducting wellness checks in affected neighborhoods and providing food vouchers and hotel placements for vulnerable customers through partnerships with local organizations.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops, and share this information to help keep others informed.
