The County of Sonoma is prepared for potential power outages or planned power shut downs to areas of Sonoma County. While the County of Sonoma is ready to respond to the effects of the power outage, the decision to turn off the power and the speed at which it is restored is planned and managed solely by the energy provider.
FAQs for Power Outages
Public water and sewer systems are supported by back-up generators and diesel pumps and are not anticipated to be affected by power shutoffs. Residents with private wells, private water pumps, and/or a private sewer grinder/booster pumps may be affected if they do not have a back-up power supply
If you are a PG&E customer, they will use the contact information associated with your account to reach you. Please take a moment to verify your contact information with PG&E.
Be sure to also register for Nixle and SoCoAlert, systems the County of Sonoma and Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office will utilize to notify you of life safety emergencies in your area. To register, visit Sign up for Alerts.
The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers supports local Independent Living Centers (ILCs) in providing resources to those who need them most. Engage with your local ILC on potential disaster or emergency resources by visiting disabilitydisasteraccess.org
If you are a Medical Baseline customer who has questions or need to register as a medical baseline, contact PG&E at 1-(800)-743-5000.
Disability Services & Legal Center (DSLC) is able to provide back up batteries that last 48 hours, and other services to assist individuals and seniors with a disability who are on MediCal. For additional information, contact Juan Orantes at (707)-636-3065 or jorantes@mydslc.org and visit mydslc.org.
For a current list of roads closures or delays in the unincorporated county visit this website: https://roadclosures-sonomacounty.hub.arcgis.com/
To determine if local schools are closed as a result of the PG&E power shutoffs, please see this Sonoma County Office of Education webpage: https://www.scoe.org/storm-update.html
In order for PG&E to restore power after a PG&E power shutoff event, first the utility is required to inspect the lines to determine if they have been damaged in the course of the shutoff. To accomplish this, PG&E uses helicopters and ground teams. The time to inspect the lines can vary, but in most cases, power will be restored within 12 daylight hours after severe weather has passed. To view the latest outage map visit: https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/updates/
As defined by the National Weather Service, a Red Flag Warning means any combination of warm temperatures, very low humidities, dry fuels, the possibility of dry lightning strikes and strong winds that are expected to produce an increased risk of fire danger.
If your electricity has been shut down due to a PG&E power shutoff, PG&E has opted to preemptively shut off electrical transmission along power lines that the utility has deemed to be unsafe due to current weather conditions.
A Public Safety Power Shutoff is the name that the utility Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) uses to describe a proactive shutoff of electricity. PG&E may declare a PG&E power shutoff if some of the following weather conditions exist:
- A Red Flag Warning
- Low humidity levels
- Forecasted sustained winds generally above 25 miles per hour and wind gusts in excess of approximately 45 miles per hour
- Dry fuel conditions