On Saturday, a significant power outage in San Francisco affected approximately 130,000 homes and businesses, according to Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E). The blackout primarily impacted the northern parts of the city, particularly the Richmond and Presidio neighborhoods, as well as areas surrounding Golden Gate Park.
Impact of the Power Outage
The outage, which began in the early afternoon, led to widespread disruptions across the city. Reports surfaced of numerous restaurant and shop closures, alongside darkened street lights and holiday decorations.
Transit Disruptions
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management warned residents about “significant transit disruptions.” Authorities advised against nonessential travel and instructed drivers to treat nonfunctional traffic signals as four-way stops.
- Muni bus routes bypassed several stops.
- BART train stations also experienced disruptions.
Cause of the Outage
Fire officials identified a fire at a PG&E substation located at 8th and Mission streets as a contributor to the outage. This information was shared via a post on social media around 3:15 p.m. that day.
Status Update from PG&E
By approximately 4 p.m., PG&E communicated through social media that they had stabilized the power grid. The company, however, could not confirm whether power would be restored on the same day.
Customer Impact
This outage affected nearly one-third of PG&E’s customers in San Francisco, highlighting the vulnerability of urban infrastructure. The incident underscores the need for reliable energy systems to maintain daily life in the city.
