URGENT UPDATE: Power has been largely restored in San Francisco following a widespread blackout that left approximately 130,000 businesses and homes without electricity on December 21, 2023, just days before Christmas. Authorities confirm that the blackout, which began earlier Saturday, has significantly impacted the city’s public transportation and safety measures.
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) reported that by late Saturday night, crews successfully restored power to about 95,000 customers. Of the remaining 35,000 customers still without power, an additional 10,000 saw their service restored as night fell. PG&E acknowledged the challenges, stating, “Unforeseen issues can cause unexpected delays for our crews,” around 3:45 p.m. local time.
The blackout disrupted the city’s Muni transit system, which includes buses, light rail, and historic streetcars. Mayor Daniel Lurie expressed concerns via social media, noting that the outage also affected street lighting, leading to increased police presence overnight to maintain safety. The San Francisco Police Department reassured residents that officers would be active throughout the night to ensure public safety.
Emergency management officials are advising residents to “stay home if you can, avoid all unnecessary travel, and check on neighbors safely.” As a precaution, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system temporarily closed its Powell Street and Civic Center stations but confirmed they have since reopened.
The cause of the outage remains under investigation; however, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department indicated that a fire at a large PG&E substation in the South Market neighborhood likely contributed to the blackout.
As of now, PG&E continues to work diligently to restore power to the remaining customers. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and stay updated through official channels. The city is on high alert as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as officials work to resolve the remaining outages and restore normalcy to San Francisco.