When there is an interruption in electric or natural gas service, your daily life is disrupted. We know you expect us to restore power as quickly as possible when there is an outage, so our crews work 24/7/365 – sometimes through rain and snow – to restore service.
They did just that in recent weeks when rain and snow fell around Christmas and New Year’s. And they are geared up for the next weather system that could bring additional rain and mountain snow to our region later this week into early next week.
According to our meteorology team, light drizzle is possible near the coast early tomorrow morning, so roadways may be slick during the morning commute. There is a chance for widespread light to moderate showers Friday night into early next week. The National Weather Service has indicated there is a possibility of mountain snow due to high clouds making their way into SoCal.
Winter weather typically increases the potential for power outages for a couple of reasons. Drivers losing control of their vehicles on slick roads sometimes crash into our power poles or electrical boxes. Winds associated with rainy weather sometimes blow tree branches or debris onto our power lines.
Tips to Keep You Safe During Rainstorms
1. Secure Loose Items in Your Yard
Make it a habit to secure loose items in your yard before a rainstorm because winds can send tarps and pool covers flying into the air so they get tangled up in power lines. When that happens, power can be knocked out.
2. Drive Safe
A car needs two to three times more stopping distance on wet pavement. Be extra vigilant and slow down. Don’t let yourself be the driver whose car hits a power pole, knocking out power in your neighborhood.
3. Don’t Touch Downed Power Lines
Fallen electric lines are extremely dangerous. If a person or piece of equipment comes in contact with an electric line, or if a line is down, call 911 and SDG&E at 800-411-SDGE (7343) to report the incident.
If a person or animal has come into contact with a power line, do not touch them or any equipment involved because the line may still be energized.
What to Do If There’s a Power Outage
- Use a flashlight – instead of candles – for light, as candles can be fire hazards
- If using a standby generator, follow these safety tips
- Turn off major appliances like dishwashers or televisions that were running when the power went out to prevent them from starting unexpectedly when power is restored
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep food fresh
- Leave one light on so you know when power is restored
More Resources
Remember to check our online outage map or mobile app for the latest outage and restoration information.
Photos courtesy of IBEW 465.