Update: Latest On Mother Lode Planned Power Outages
Update at 4:05pm: Tuolumne County’s Office of Emergency Services reports that PG&E is planning to move forward with a planned power outage that will impact 29,800 customers. Power is anticipated to go off at around 11pm today and then be restored by 7pm on Wednesday. During the duration of the outage, Community Resource Centers will be open at the Columbia Elementary School, Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora, Eproson Park in Twain Harte and Mary Laveroni Park in Groveland. The centers will be open from 8am-10pm, starting on Tuesday. There will be wi-fi, device charging stations, water, snacks and restrooms. Also, the Tuolumne County cooling center is being moved to the Jamestown Community Hall at 18250 Main Street. It will be open from 11am-7pm on Tuesday and Wednesday.
PG&E is also planning to cut off power to 13,000 customers in Calaveras County at around midnight or shortly after. Community Resource Centers are anticipated to be open in Murphys, Arnold and West Point.
Original story posted at 9:42am: Sonora, CA — Tuolumne County is back on the list this morning for a planned power outage starting at around 11pm this evening and continuing through 7pm on Wednesday.
Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services Coordinator Liz Peterson reports that PG&E has notified her that they are expanding the outage from the initial 11,000 customers in the county to around 30,000.
PG&E will begin setting up Community Resource Centers in various locations throughout the county, and more specifics will be released later today.
The decision by PG&E to cutoff power may create unique public health challenges, as temperatures are expected to reach triple digits tomorrow in the lower foothills, and there is drift smoke from the nearby Creek Fire. Running an air conditioner will no longer be an option for many of those impacted unless they have a backup generator.
PG&E notes that the region is under a fire weather watch, as strong offshore winds are anticipated in combination with dry fuels.
