A significant power outage in San Francisco has left over 16,000 customers without electricity as of Sunday afternoon, following a disruption that began on Saturday. The blackout, which impacted approximately 130,000 homes and businesses, was triggered by a fire at a utility substation located at 8th and Mission streets.
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) crews successfully restored power to around 114,000 customers, including 4,000 on Sunday alone. The remaining outages are concentrated in the Presidio, Richmond District, Golden Gate Park, and some areas of downtown. PG&E has deployed additional engineers and electricians to expedite restoration efforts, as many businesses were forced to close during one of the busiest weekends leading up to Christmas.
Impacts on Transportation and Services
The blackout not only affected residential areas but also caused significant disruptions to public transit. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations at Powell Street and Civic Center closed during the outage, while both the Muni and Central Subway services were suspended before being gradually restored in the evening. The outage also led to Waymo suspending its autonomous taxi service as vehicles stalled at intersections, creating gridlock across the city.
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management reported widespread transit disruptions and urged residents to avoid nonessential travel. Downed traffic signals were treated as four-way stops, complicating navigation for motorists and emergency vehicles.
Community Support and Future Plans
PG&E has opened a Community Resource Center at 251 18th Ave. in the Richmond District, providing power stations for charging electronics, free Wi-Fi, bottled water, and customer support. The center operates from 17:00 to 22:00 on Sunday, then from 08:00 to 22:00 on Monday. In partnership with the 211 Providers Network, PG&E is conducting wellness checks for vulnerable customers and offering food vouchers and hotel placements through the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie took to social media to inform residents that full power restoration was expected by 14:00 on Monday, March 18, 2024. He encouraged those still without power to visit the Richmond Rec Center for assistance.
In an official statement, PG&E confirmed, “We currently expect to restore all remaining customers impacted by the substation outage by no later than 14:00 on Monday.”
As recovery efforts continue, PG&E is also preparing for incoming storms that may affect other areas, ensuring that the utility is ready for any further disruptions. Although no injuries have been reported due to the outage, the situation remains under investigation as PG&E works diligently to restore full service to all affected customers.
