Bomb cyclone hits Northern California: Storm safety tips

This satellite image taken, Nov. 19, 2024, and provided by NOAA, shows weather gathering in northern California and the Pacific Northwest. (NOAA via AP)

SAN FRANCISCO – Northern California Wednesday felt the impact of one of the strongest storms in the northwest in decades.

Fueled by an atmospheric river and intensified by a bomb cyclone off the Pacific Northwest coast, the storm brought heavy rainfall and strong winds, leading to a series of power outages in the region.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has mobilized crews and resources to respond to storm-related damage and power outages.

It also opened its Emergency Operations Center in Vacaville to coordinate storm response and restoration efforts.

PG&E meteorologist Scott Strenfel said the atmospheric river event will deliver prolonged heavy rain and winds to the North Bay, Sacramento Valley, Sierra and Bay Area regions over the next several days.

The company said it is using its storm outage prediction models that help determine the potential timing, location and number of power outages “to pre-position storm response resources.”

PG&E said it is also “prestaging power poles, powerlines, transformers and other electric equipment” at yards throughout its service area to restore power to affected areas safely and as quickly as possible.

PG&E customers can find real-time updates via the online outage center, including status updates the assessments, repair and estimated time of restoration.

Renters and others without a PG&E account may also use this portal to sign up for outage notifications by text, email or phone.

Storm Safety Tips

PG&E offers the following safety tips.

• Never touch downed wires: If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it—and keep children and animals  away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 9-1-1 and then PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.
• Use generators safely: Customers with standby electric generators should ensure they are properly installed by a licensed electrician in a well-ventilated area. Improperly installed generators pose a significant danger to customers, as well as crews working on powerlines. If using portable generators, be sure they are in a well-ventilated area.
• Use flashlights, not candles: During a power outage, use battery-operated flashlights and not candles, due to the risk of fire. And keep extra batteries on hand. If you must use candles, please keep them away from drapes, lampshades, animals and small children. Do not leave candles unattended.
• Have a backup phone: If you have a telephone system that requires electricity to work, such as a cordless phone or answering machine, plan to have a standard telephone or cellular phone ready as a backup. Having a portable charging device helps to keep your cell phone running.
• Have fresh drinking water and ice: Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer to prevent food spoilage.
• Secure your outside furniture:Strong winds can blow lawn chairs and other outdoor items into powerlines.
• Turn off appliances: If you experience an outage, unplug or turn off all electrical appliances to avoid overloading circuits and to prevent fire hazards when power is restored. Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns.
• Safely clean up:After the storm has passed, be sure to safely clean up. Never touch downed wires and always call 8-1-1 or visit comat least two full business days before digging to have all underground utilities safely marked.