Public Safety Power Shutoff – PSPS

PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff

If extreme fire danger conditions threaten a portion of the electric system serving our community, it may be necessary for PG&E to turn off electricity in the interest of public safety. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). During a PSPS all customers serviced by an affected power line will have their power shut off. Power outages could last multiple days depending on the severity of the weather and other factors. It is important that you and your family have an emergency preparedness plan in place.

Be prepared to take action if/when PG&E notifies you regarding a possible shutoff.

Sign up for emergency alerts

Nixle (text alerts from local public safety departments): Text your zip code to 888777 or sign up online.
SocoAlert (emergency notifications from the County of Sonoma): Sign up here.
PG&E Alerts: sign up here or call 1(866) 743-6589.

Update your contact information with PG&E

Update your contact information with PG&E: Visit pge.com/wildfirealerts or call 1 (866) 743-6589

PSPS Safety Checklist

Plan for any medical needs.
Keep a hard copy of emergency phone numbers on hand.
Build or restock your emergency kit.
Designate an emergency meeting location.
Practice manually opening your garage door.
Consider staying with a friend or relative during an outrage.
Ensure any backup generators are ready to safely operate. Find generator safety tips at pge.com/backupgeneration
To learn more, please contact PG&E at 1-866-743-6589 and wildfiresafety@pge.com.

Before Shutoff

Identify backup charging methods for phones and keep hard copies of emergency contacts, such as numbers of hospitals, fire departments, police, friends, and relatives.
Build or restock your emergency kit with flashlights, fresh batteries, and first aid supplies.
Keep in mind the needs of the elderly and young children and pets.
Know how to manually open garage doors – park outside if you do not know how to do this.
Make sure smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are ready.
Keep emergency water (1 gallon per person per day is recommended) and food supplies that do not require refrigeration on hand.
Ensure your vehicles are fueled or charged.
Ensure you have cash on hand, as banks may not be open.

During Shutoff

Unplug or turn off appliances, equipment, and electronics to avoid damage caused by surges when the power is restored.
Use battery-operated flashlights, not candles, due to the fire risk.
Leave a single lamp on to alert you when the power returns. Then, turn your appliances on, one at a time.
Typically, your refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours, and a full freezer will keep its temperature for about 48 hours–as long as the freezer and refrigerator doors are kept closed. Consider using coolers with ice to keep food cold and safe.
Be sure to use only generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills outdoors. Do not use a gas stove for heat.
If you must leave your home, use extreme caution when driving, as traffic signals may not be operational.
Check on your neighbors.

When Power Returns

When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. If a life depends on the refrigerated drugs, consult a doctor or pharmacist and use medicine only until a new supply is available.

Preparedness Resources

PG&E 7-day PSPS forecast

PG&E PSPS Outage Map

PG&E Back Up Power Options – pge.com/backuppower

PG&E Back Up Power Transfer Meter Program (FREE)

PG&E Portable Battery Program

PG&E Interactive Planning Map – For Public Safety Power Shutoff planning and overview of wildfire safety improvements like vegetation management and system hardening.

ready.gov – Emergency and disaster preparedness information from the Department of Homeland Security

socoemergency.org – County of Sonoma Emergency Readiness, Response, and Recovery website

caloes.ca.gov – California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services website

readyforwildfire.org – CAL FIRE’s wildfire preparedness website

firesafecouncil.org – California’s Fire Safe Council Website

pge.com/wildfiresafety – PG&E’s website on what to do before, during, and after a wildfire

prepareforpowerdown.com – California’s largest energy companies’ website on how to prepare for Planned Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events

For more information on PG&E see the Energy tab on the Utilities page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question that you don’t see here? Email us at info@cityofsebastopol.org.

Where can I find out if a PSPS may be imminent?

PG&E now has publicly posted their new PSPS 7-Day forecast and maps that you can use for planning purposes only. The forecast will give you an idea of what PG&E is looking at internally across their region.

Will I be notified in advance of a PSPS?

PG&E says that it will notify impacted customers of a PSPS at 48 hours, 24 hours, and just prior to shutting off power through automated calls, texts and emails, reaching you through the information associated with your PG&E account. Make sure that PG&E has your correct email address, landline number and mobile number. If your landlord or property manager is the PG&E account holder for your address, they will receive notifications on your behalf. PG&E encourages you to contact them to confirm they know how to reach you. Find information on how to update your PG&E contact preferences here.

PG&E says that they will make regular updates through their Facebook and Twitter pages, local news, radio, and at pg e .com.

The City of Sebastopol will make every effort to keep citizens notified before and during a PSPS via its social media outlets. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and/or NextDoor.

Will I have water?

Yes, if you are served by the City of Sebastopol Water System. The City of Sebastopol operates its own wells and water pumping stations and maintains a gravity-fed reserve of approximately 7 days. Beyond that, the City has a dedicated generator to power water pumps. Water rationing may be implemented.

Will I have water if I am on a well?

No, you will not have water other than what is in your tank at the time that PG&E shuts off the electricity unless you have a back-up power system.

Will there be a cooling center in Sebastopol during a PSPS event?

No, there will not be a cooling center in Sebastopol during a PSPS event. While the City does have emergency generators, the generators do not have the capacity to run air conditioning units.

Will I have sewer services?

Yes, you will have sewer services. The City of Sebastopol’s Sewer System has emergency backup generators to maintain the function of the pump stations within the gravity system. *Note: Private sewer stations that pump to the City’s gravity system are the property owner’s responsibility and may not have a backup power system.

Will I have garbage service?

Please contact your carrier to determine whether or not garbage will be picked up during a PSPS.

Will traffic signals be operational?

Some traffic signals may have limited battery backup power, but most traffic signals will not work. Please see the DMV Handbook for rules of the road for uncontrolled intersections.

Will City offices have power?

Police, Fire, City Hall and Public Works have backup generators for critical operations only.

Will gas stations be operational?

Gas stations will most likely not be able to pump gas unless they have a backup generator. You should keep at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle as part of your emergency planning.

Will ATMs be operational?

No, ATMs will not work during a PSPS. It is recommended that you keep some cash on hand as part of your emergency planning.

Will mobile phones work?

They may or may not, depending upon your carrier. Please see the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) De-energization (PSPS) web page Potential Impacts on Telephone Service during De-energization. It is recommended that you have a backup means to charge your mobile phone as part of your emergency planning.

Will landlines work?

Will grocery stores be open?

At the time that this information was compiled (August 2019), the Sebastopol Fire Department collected the following:

Fircrest Market, 998 Hwy 116 South
* Has a new Emergency Generator that can power the entire store
* Will remain open during PSPS

Lucky/SaveMart, 776 Hwy 116 North
    *   Has a small Emergency Generator
    *   Will use Lucky/SaveMart-owned refrigerated trailers
    *   Will try and open during daytime business hours only.

Safeway, 406 North Main Street
    *   Has a small Emergency Generator
    *   Will use Safeway-owned refrigerated trailers
    *   Will try and open during daytime business hours only.

Community Market, 6762 Sebastopol Ave #100
* Closed during PSPS

Whole Foods, 6910 McKinley St
* Closed during PSPS

Will the hardware store be open?

At the time that this information was compiled (August 2019), Sebastopol Hardware management indicated that it had an emergency generator and would remain open during daytime business hours.

Sebastopol Hardware Center, 660 Hwy 116 North

How do I know when the power will be turned back on?

PG&E says that it will notify and update customers who have signed up for their alerts. This can be done on PG&E’s website here. PG&E also recommends that you keep the information associated with your PG&E account up to date. Find information on how to update your PG&E contact preferences here.