San Francisco residents faced a challenging situation as tens of thousands were left without power following a massive outage caused by a fire at a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. substation on Sunday. At its peak, approximately 130,000 customers were affected by the blackout, with neighborhoods such as Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, and Buena Vista Park in darkness.
The fire erupted inside the PG&E substation located at 8th and Mission streets according to fire officials. The utility company acknowledged that the damage caused by the fire was extensive, leading to a complex process of repairs and restoration. By 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, power was restored to about 95,000 customers. Throughout the night, crews continued their efforts, and by 7 a.m. on Sunday, around 21,000 customers were still without power in the impacted areas.
While PG&E mobilized additional engineers and electricians to address the situation swiftly, the company could not provide a definite timeline for full restoration. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries to employees or the public as a result of the incident.
The blackout had significant implications for the city, with social media posts and local media outlets highlighting mass closures of businesses, darkened street lights, and disruptions to transportation services. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management issued alerts about significant transit disruptions citywide and advised residents to avoid nonessential travel while treating down traffic signals as four-way stops.
The power outages also impacted various services such as Waymo's driverless cars, which temporarily suspended operations due to challenges navigating without functioning streetlights, causing disruptions on the roads. The transportation agencies in the city had to reroute some Muni bus and BART train stations in response to the power outages, further escalating the situation.
As the blackout persisted, a resource center was established in the Richmond District to support the thousands still affected. The center provided essential resources like device charging, Wi-Fi access, water, snacks, ice, restrooms, and shelter. PG&E staff were present to offer information and updates on the outage. The utility projected that most areas would have power restored by 2 p.m. on Monday.
Despite efforts to restore power, a significant portion of the city's northwest remained disconnected, encompassing neighborhoods such as the Richmond District, Golden Gate Park, and the Presidio. The outage continued to affect about 9.7% of PG&E customers as of the latest updates, with neighborhoods like the Inner Sunset, Outer Richmond, and the Presidio still experiencing power loss.
The San Francisco Fire Department responded promptly to the fire incident at the PG&E substation on Eighth and Mission Streets. Following containment of the fire, PG&E staff resumed work in the building, with no reported injuries or structural damage. Lieutenant Mariano Elias emphasized the fire's role in the widespread power outage and advised residents to stay indoors due to nonfunctional traffic lights.
Videos circulating on social media captured the challenges faced during the blackout, with stalled Waymo vehicles risking collisions and posing safety concerns. To mitigate risks, the city took measures such as dispatching law enforcement officers to busy intersections and corridors to ensure safety and clear access for emergency personnel.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency cSFMTAc had to close several Metro stops in response to the power outages. Stations between Embarcadero and Van Ness were shut down, with the J and N lines switching back at the Church/Duboce station and the K, L, and M lines altering routes at the Castro station. While disruptions persisted, services like the Central Subway had resumed operation.
While areas like Oakland, Richmond, and South San Francisco remained unaffected by the widespread outages, the impact on San Francisco residents highlighted the importance of preparedness and effective response protocols during emergencies. As the city worked towards complete restoration of power, the community rallied together to support those affected by the outage.
Overall, the incident underscored the importance of robust infrastructure and contingency plans to mitigate the disruptions caused by unexpected events like the PG&E substation fire and subsequent power outage in San Francisco. The ongoing efforts of utility companies, emergency response teams, and community support were vital in ensuring a swift and comprehensive restoration of services for all affected residents.
