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PG&E Update on Mono Wind Event and Preparations for Upcoming Severe Weather

Wind event update – PG&E crews continue to work on repairing damage from last weeks mono wind event. In some areas, they are essentially having to rebuild the infrastructure from scratch, particularly near Wawona and Fish Camp.

Currently about 800 customers remain out of power. PG&E brought in temporary generation to restore many customers, and may install more in the coming days, weather permitting.

For more than 300 of those customers, are being informed today that they may be out of power until February 3 due to the amount of damage and the extremely challenging conditions.

Much of the damaged equipment was mounted on trees that were toppled or damaged by the winds. PG&E is working with the National Park as well as cultural observers as they plan the most appropriate way to rebuild the infrastructure.

One note, PG&E is proud of the fact that in the Mariposa area they are using local restaurants to feed the more than 100 crewmembers who have been brought in to assist with repairs. PG&E understands that the pandemic has hit many industries, and appreciate the help of these restaurants to keep the crews fed.

Winter Storm – PG&E meteorologists are forecasting a major winter storm to impact much of PG&E’s service area starting later today through Friday.

Significant impacts are expected across PG&E’s service territory due to gusty winds, low snow and prolonged periods of moderate to heavy rain, which has led the National Weather Service to issue multiple watches and warnings across California.

The front will slowly progress into the south half of the territory overnight through Wednesday morning then stall and pivot over the South during the day Wednesday, where it will remain through Thursday.

Which means this storm has the potential to produce customer outages. Such weather-related outages are NOT Public Safety Power Shutoffs.

PG&E has a plan to respond to potential outages, based on our Storm Outage Prediction Model, which includes staffing crews in these locations to respond to outages safely and as quickly as possible.

PG&E encourages their customers to have a plan as well. Follow this link for assistance with creating a plan: https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/emergency-preparedness.page

Based on forecasts of flooding in areas recently impacted by fires, PG&E is warning customers of possible landslides as debris flows are triggered during periods of heavy rain fall.

Slurries of soil, rock and trees could rapidly slide in hillside swales and tributary stream gullies, with potential to run out past the base of slopes.

PG&E’s Geosciences team is performing debris flow modeling analysis of recent wildfire locations and has also deployed Specialists to Central Coast and Yosemite Divisions to perform a pre-assessment and provided recommendations for restoration teams in the field on the potential risk for those areas.

The Geosciences team monitors developing weather forecasts and measured rainfall to provide updates on hazard and decisions for making “Watch” or “Warning” notifications.

“We want our customers to be prepared for possible landslides and stay informed for local agency and National Weather Service/NOAA/CALFIRE notifications and evacuation messages.”

If you suspect imminent danger, evacuate the area immediately.

 

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Sierra News Online

Sierra News Online