Update at 5:05 p.m.: PG&E has released updated power outage numbers for customers impacted by the Mother Lode.
As of 4:30 p.m.:
- Calaveras: 8,583
- Tuolumne: 6,588
- Amador: 3,797
Update at 15:15 p.m.: PG&E crews continue to work throughout the Mother Lode to restore power after the winter storm blew through the region. Company spokesperson Jeff Smith relayed this information to Central Sierra Broadcasting:
“As of 2:30 p.m., incremental progress continues to be made in power restoration to foothill communities. As we restore power, our crews are encountering many situations where only a few customers are being impacted by what is often an extensive and time-consuming repair. So crews are often spending multiple hours at one job site, and at the conclusion of the work, they may only be restoring a small handful of customers. In addition, there are new outages that occur while we are simultaneously restoring other customers. Access issues and safety concerns remain, and progress remains steady.”
Current customers impacted:
- Tuolumne: 6,734
- Calaveras: 8,761
- Amador: 3,797
Update at 12:40 p.m.: As many PG&E customers remain without power in the Mother Lode, Tuolumne County OES advised that the utility has donated kits for those without power, which are being distributed by the sheriff’s office and these local fire stations:
- Tuolumne Rancheria Fire 19324 Scotts Brothers Rd
- Twain Harte Fire 18781 Cedar Dr, Twain Harte
- Mi-Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District 24247 Hwy 108 Mi-Wuk Village
Below update written by BJ Hansen at 10:35 am: PG&E spokesperson Jeff Smith reports that 6,595 Tuolumne County customers are without electricity and 9,306 in Calaveras County. He notes that conditions remain challenging for the crews, but with sunshine coming out now, they anticipate being able to make progress today.
The company reports in a statement, “PG&E crews in the foothill communities continue to encounter severe challenges with access as a result of the low snow and fallen trees. Crews are working diligently around the clock to safely access hard to reach areas in order to first provide customers with a realistic estimate on time of restoration, as well as to make the necessary repairs to restore power. The low snow conditions with heavy and wet snow within vegetation continues to provide concerns. We understand it is never convenient to be without power, and we know that some of our customers in these areas have now been without power for several days. We encourage them to remain safe, and appreciate their patience as we navigate the challenges of this winter storm.”
Power outages by county as of 10:30 am:
– El Dorado: 8,412
– Nevada: 4,603
– Placer: 3,880
– Sierra: 640
– Amador: 3,852
– Calaveras: 9,306
– Tuolumne: 6,595
Some customers have been notified that their outage could last through Sunday.
Update at 7:50 am: Bear Valley Ski Resort is closed today due to a full closure of Highway 4 above Dorrington.
Update at 6:48 am: Tuolumne County Transit reports that Routes 1, 2 and 3 are on a two-hour delay, and Route 2 is on a modified schedule.
Original story posted at 6:20 am: Sonora, CA — Power outages remain a big problem in the Mother Lode.
PG&E reports that it has enough resources for the task, but accessing difficult-to-reach areas has been the problem. There are about 10,000 customers without electricity in Calaveras County and around 5,000 in Tuolumne County. The company has notified some customers that it could be as late as Sunday when there is full restoration.
Warming shelters remain open 24/7 at the Tuolumne and Groveland Resilience Centers.
In Calaveras County, there are warming centers open from 8 am – 10 pm at the West Point Community Hall on Highway 26 and from 10:30 am – 7 pm at the Murphys Fire Station.
The Calaveras County Public Works Department is urging non-residents to avoid taking a trip to the county today, especially to the area above Murphys.
As of 6:15 am am on Friday, there are several vehicle spinouts that the CHP is assisting with related to ice. They include Highway 108 at J-59, Highway 108 at Lower Mono Way, and Highway 108 at Rushing Hill Lookout. In addition, a semi-truck is stuck on Tuolumne Road near Black Oak Road.
There are numerous school delays and cancellations that can be found here.
Click here to find the latest chain controls from Caltrans.
Yosemite National Park is closed todyay, as reported here.
Events
Tuolumne Memorial Hall | 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Community Disaster Preparedness Trainings
Twain Harte Community Center | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Jazz Festival Concert
Sonora High School Auditorium | 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Mother Lode Fairgrounds | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Mokelumne Hill Lions Club Family Health Fair
Mokelumne Hill Elementary School | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
SNF Hiring Event
Stanislaus National Forest Headquarters | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm