Key Takeaways
- Over 27,000 PG&E customers in the Bay Area were without power on Thursday night due to an atmospheric river bringing heavy rains and wind.
- The hardest hit counties were Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Mateo, and Sonoma, with wind gusts reaching up to 92 mph.
- A flood watch has been extended for the region through 10 p.m. Friday, with moderate to heavy rain expected in the valleys and coastal mountains.
- Flash flooding is a major concern due to heavy rains, and a beach hazards statement has been issued for Bay Area coastlines through 4 a.m. Friday.
Introduction to the Storm
The Bay Area has been experiencing severe weather conditions due to an atmospheric river that continues to bring heavy rains and wind to the region. As of Thursday night, more than 27,000 PG&E customers were without power, with the hardest hit areas being Sonoma County, the South Bay, and the East Bay. The outages have been caused by wind gusts reaching up to 92 mph, which have led to widespread power disruptions throughout the day. The counties of Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Mateo, and Sonoma have been particularly affected, with thousands of customers experiencing power outages.
Power Outages and Affected Areas
According to PG&E spokesman Jeff Smith, as of 8 p.m. on Thursday, 7,527 customers were affected in Sonoma County, while 7,219 were impacted in the South Bay. The East Bay also experienced significant outages, with 6,755 customers affected, followed by 4,860 on the Peninsula, 896 in San Francisco, and 179 in the North Bay. Although the total number of customers without power has decreased since Thursday afternoon, when over 35,000 were affected, the situation remains critical. The utility agency has been working to restore power to affected areas, but the ongoing storm has made it challenging to do so.
Weather Conditions and Forecast
The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch for the region through 10 p.m. Friday, as the storm is expected to bring moderate to heavy rain of 2 to 5 inches in the valleys, with up to 6 to 8 inches in the coastal mountains. The main threat is from flash flooding due to heavy rains, which can be life-threatening and cause significant damage to properties. In addition to the flood watch, forecasters have also issued a beach hazards statement, which continues through 4 a.m. Friday, warning of dangerous conditions along Bay Area coastlines due to strong winds. The storm is expected to continue inundating the region with rain and wind, bringing flooding and warnings of severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes.
Response and Precautions
PG&E has set up an outage map, which can be found at their website, to help customers track the status of power outages in their area. The utility agency has also been working to restore power to affected areas, but the ongoing storm has made it challenging to do so. Residents are advised to take precautions to stay safe during the storm, including avoiding travel, staying indoors, and keeping away from flooded areas. The National Weather Service has also warned of the potential for severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes, which can be deadly and cause significant damage. It is essential for residents to stay informed and follow the instructions of local authorities to ensure their safety.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the Bay Area is experiencing severe weather conditions due to an atmospheric river, which has caused widespread power outages and flooding. The situation is critical, and residents are advised to take precautions to stay safe. The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch for the region through 10 p.m. Friday, and forecasters have issued a beach hazards statement for Bay Area coastlines. PG&E is working to restore power to affected areas, and residents can track the status of power outages on their website. It is essential for residents to stay informed and follow the instructions of local authorities to ensure their safety during this severe weather event.