Update: Two Power Outages In Two Mother Lode Counties

Update at 1:40 p.m.: PG&E reports that all the power has been restored to the more than 2,500 customers in the Groveland area of Tuolumne County. The outage was originally designated as a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS but was changed to an unplanned outage by the utility. The outage impacted 2,574 customers, stretching from the east side of Don Pedro Reservoir along Highways 120 and 132, past Hardin Flat to Big Oak Flat Road. No cause was given. For details on the second power outage in Calaveras County, view below.

Update at 12:25 p.m.: PG&E crews have returned power to one of two Mother Lode counties that left nearly 4,000 customers without electricity this morning.  The utility reports that 1,300 customers’ power has been restored in the Copperopolis area of Calaveras County along O’Byrnes Ferry Road towards Lake Tulloch. No cause was given. In the Groveland area of Tuolumne County, an outage originally designated as a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS has now been changed to an unplanned outage by PG&E. The outage continues to impact 2,574 customers, stretching from the east side of Don Pedro Reservoir along Highways 120 and 132, past Hardin Flat to Big Oak Flat Road. There remains no estimated restoration time given.

Original post at 11:50 a.m.: Tuolumne County, CA – PG&E is reporting two outages impacting nearly 4,000 customers in two Mother Lode counties.

Both outages began just before 10 a.m., but the largest is a Public Safety Power Shutoff or PSPS. The utility has cut the electricity to 2,574 customers in the Groveland area of Tuolumne County. Those affected stretch from the east side of Don Pedro Reservoir along Highways 120 and 132, past Hardin Flat to Big Oak Flat Road.

According to a company official, the reason for the PSPS is the breezy weather: “Due to high winds and dry conditions, power in your area has been turned off to help prevent a wildfire.”

The utility gave a “to be determined” restoration time, stating, “Once the weather has improved, we will begin inspecting power lines and equipment for possible damage. Power will be restored as soon as it is safe to do so.”

In the Copperopolis area of Calaveras County, 1,300 customers along O’Byrnes Ferry Road towards the west, nearly Lake Tulloch.

PG&E updates that a crew is working to restore power, but currently no cause has been identified. The estimated repair time for this outage is 3:15 p.m.