Prepare For a Power Outage
During months when the risk of wildfire is high or periods of extended drought, Santa Clara County is at risk of wildfire and a Public Safety Power Shutoff. Weather and fire conditions are subject to change, so everybody needs to be ready. Several important ways to prepare for emergencies are:
- Sign up for AlertSCC, the County’s official alert and warning system.
- Make a plan.
- Build an emergency supply kit.
- Help family, friends and neighbors.
PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff
A PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) occurs in response to severe weather. PG&E turns off power to help prevent wildfires and keep communities safe. Although you may not live or work in a high fire-threat area or an area experiencing high winds, your power may be shut off if your home or business relies on a line that runs through an area with extreme weather. Power lines aren't always connected according to neighborhood, so your power could stay on while a neighborhood across the street could be turned off.
Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings
To help prevent wildfires during an ongoing drought, PG&E is continuing to evolve our safety efforts to protect our customers and communities. This includes adjusting the sensitivity on some equipment to automatically turn off power within one-tenth of a second if the system detects a problem. We call this Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS). This year, we are expanding these safety settings to all powerlines in high fire-risk areas (HFRAs) and some lines that are adjacent to HFRAs. For more information, please visit pge.com/epss.
The map below shows the approximate areas in your community powered by EPSS-capable circuits, which will be enabled during times of heightened wildfire risk.
Download your copy of the Santa Clara County Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings Map.
For PG&E Customers:
- Stay informed on the latest Public Safety Power Shutoff updates.
- Update contact information online or by calling 1-866-743-6589 during normal business hours. PG&E will use this information to alert customers when and where possible before turning off electric service for safety.
- If you or a household member requires a medical or life support device for medical conditions, apply for the PG&E Medical Baseline Program.
- If your device qualifies, you'll receive a lower rate on your monthly energy bill and receive extra notifications in advance of a Public Safety Power Shutoff. Download the Pacific ADA Center’s Emergency Power Planning Fact Sheet.
- Prepare for and practice an emergency plan to be emergency-ready and safe during an outage. Keep in mind family members who are elderly, younger children, and pets. Information and tips, including a safety plan checklist, are available.
- Emergency supply kits can be a lifesaver during a power outage, earthquake, wildfire, flood, or other disasters. See the emergency supply checklist for a Public Safety Power Shutoff.
PG&E customers can also call the customer service line at 1-800-743-5000 and check PG&E's social media accounts for more information on how to prepare before and during a power outage:
Facebook @pacificgasandelectric
Twitter @PGE4Me
Visit the PG&E website for information in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, and Russian.
To receive additional information and referrals to services in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and other languages, call 211.