The Latest: PG&E restores power to thousands in California
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Latest on power outages in California (all times local):
7 p.m.
Pacific Gas & Electric says it’s restored power to 120,000 people whose electricity was cut because of windy, dry weather.
The utility blacked out 11 Northern and central California counties on Wednesday out of concern that the winds would foul or drop its power lines and spark catastrophic wildfires.
But thanks to improved weather, PG&E began restoring power Wednesday evening and said essentially all customers had their juice back as of Thursday afternoon.
Some 70-mph (112.65-kph) gusts were reported and PG&E says it found four instances of weather-related damage to its equipment.
9 a.m.
Pacific Gas & Electric has started restoring power to some of the 120,000 people whose electricity was shut down amid windy, dry weather.
The utility said Thursday about 10,000 customers — or 25,000 people — had power restored and the rest should have their lights back on by evening.
The nation’s largest utility cut power Wednesday in parts of 10 Northern California counties because of concerns that windy weather could throw debris into power lines, causing them to spark and ignite tinder-dry brush.
PG&E says its meteorologists have declared a weather all-clear, allowing its crews to inspect and, if necessary, repair power lines.
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12 a.m.
Pacific Gas & Electric expects to restore power to most of the 120,000 people it intentionally blacked out to avoid the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
The nation’s largest utility cut the juice on Wednesday in 10 Northern and central California counties because of concerns that dry, windy weather could throw debris into power lines, causing them to spark and ignite tinder-dry brush.
But officials say the weather proved better than expected, with higher humidity, cloud cover and even some rain in the Sierra Nevada.
That allowed PG&E to drastically reduce the number of customers it originally expected to black out — about 375,000 — and even to begin restoring electricity in some areas.
The utility expected to declare a weather all-clear Thursday morning, allowing its crews to inspect and if necessary, repair power lines.
