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Outages

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Outage Information

Learn about current utilities service disruptions and how you can be prepared for future outages.

Electric Outage Preparedness

Electrical emergencies can happen any time. Whether it’s an accident or a weather-related situation, occasional power outages are simply unavoidable. However, you can easily prepare for the unexpected loss of power. To prepare for a potential power outage, you may need to take several of the following steps:

Utilize an emergency supply kit with enough water, food, medicine, batteries and flashlights to last several days.
Arrange a communication and meet-up plan with your family or neighbors in case cell phones do not work.
Have your vehicle gas tank filled and cash on hand (as electronic transaction devices and ATM machines will be without power).

Some simple things to have on hand:

battery-powered emergency lighting (or flashlights, at a minimum)
portable or battery-powered radio
wind-up or battery-powered clock
nonperishable food and water (including a manual can opener)
pet food
first aid kit
telephone that does not depend on electricity

Public Safety Power Shutoffs

A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is a preventative measure that a utility may use under extreme weather conditions to de-energize electric lines in areas that may be at risk for power-line ignited wildfires. The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) may need to preemptively shut off power due to fire-threat conditions; however, this option will only be used as a last resort in extraordinary circumstances. Learn more about Public Safety Power Shutoffs and how to prepare for such outages.

Medical Necessity Customers

Since power outages can occur at any time, for extended duration, and with no guarantee of which line can be energized in a particular sequence, we recommend that our customers with ongoing, in-home medical conditions requiring power supply consult with their healthcare provider on how best to prepare for power outages. The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) does not maintain a priority “medical restoration list." Adequate back-up power alternatives for specific needs may include: additional supplies of device batteries; a properly-sized, pre-charged uninterruptible power supply; an onsite generator, etc.

If anyone with a medical necessity experiences a power outage of any duration that threatens health or safety, please call 911.

View storm and emergency preparedness resources.

PG&E and Electrical Service in Palo Alto

PG&E manages the electric transmission grid for the entire Bay Area, including Palo Alto. While PG&E does not directly serve electricity to CPAU customers, the City intakes electricity from PG&E’s transmission system. In the event PG&E shuts off major transmission lines in the Bay Area, power outages could potentially affect Palo Alto. CPAU will monitor and manage its own infrastructure based on weather and safety assessments.

Read more about PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shut-off program at pge.com/psps

Learn more about the City of Palo Alto's wildfire prevention and mitigation strategies here.