Oakland Power Shutoff: 48,000 Customers Still Out

OAKLAND, CA — Oakland city officials said Thursday afternoon that about 48,000 residents remain without power due to the Public Safety Power Shutoff that PG&E imposed in parts of Alameda County late Wednesday night.

Oakland officials said the area in their city that's affected by the shutoff is primarily above MacArthur Boulevard between Fruitvale and 106th avenues and along the Skyline Boulevard and Grizzly Peak Boulevard corridor.

The city said PG&E has not yet issued an "all clear" for Alameda County, as it announced for several other counties Thursday afternoon. The utility will begin safety inspections, repairs and power restoration in areas once a weather "all clear" is issued.

PG&E has advised that the process to re-energize power lines and restore power could still take up to five days in some areas. City officials said residents who are without power, should continue to make preparations to be without electricity for five days.

They said impacted residents should turn off all appliances and lights so they are not damaged when power is restored.

In addition, the city said the East Bay Municipal Utility District is asking residents to conserve water whenever possible.

Oakland officials said the Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service is scheduled to remain in effect until 5 p.m. Thursday.

The city said the Oakland Fire Department remains on high alert due to the extremely hazardous fire conditions created by the ongoing dry, windy conditions. — Bay City News