11K+ Without Power In SCC As Storm Slams Bay Area

SAN JOSE, CA — Thousands of customers were without power Thursday morning in Santa Clara County as a powerful atmospheric river moved through the Bay Area.

According to PG&E, crews were contending with 40 outages impacting 11,256 customers across the county as of 10 a.m. The majority of the outages were in San Jose, where 6,200 were without power, and Morgan Hill, where 4,146 customers were in the dark.

The National Weather Service warned that gusts up to 60 mph would be possible in the South Bay through Friday morning, and a wind advisory remains in effect. A flood advisory issued Thursday morning includes Palo Alto, San Jose and Morgan Hill and will remain in effect until 1 p.m.

Forecasters said up to 2.5 inches of rain could fall through Saturday.

"Strong to potentially damaging winds (outside of thunderstorms) may result in impacts to power infrastructure and difficult driving conditions," the weather service said Thursday. "In addition, the winds and the wet soil may increase the risk of downed trees."

Forecasters said conditions favored widespread flooding of creeks rivers and streams, urban areas. Dangerous surf conditions, including breaking waves of 20 to 30 feet, are likely to remain a hazard through Friday.