Power Restoration Underway For Some SDG&E Customers

SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego Gas and Electric was working to restore power Wednesday to some customers affected by public safety power shutoffs amid critical weather conditions.

As a result of improving weather conditions in some areas, SDG&E field employees were patrolling and inspecting power lines to restore power to customers in certain communities. Other customers continue to remain without power due to public safety power shutoffs.

"A red flag warning for the region is still in effect with Santa Ana winds expected to increase in localized areas, which may prevent SDG&E crews from patrolling all circuits impacted by PSPS," the utility company said in a news release. "Due to the dynamic nature of this week's weather, SDG&E's meteorologists continue to urge regional preparedness and monitor forecast models every hour to provide customers with the most accurate, real-time information."

As of 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, 2,650 SDG&E customers had no power, while an additional 52,287 customers could potentially be affected by the outages, according to SDG&E. Some customers were still without power in Alpine, Boulevard, Campo, Campo Reservation, Descanso, Julian, La Posta Reservation, Manzanita Reservation, Santa Ysabel, Santa Ysabel Reservation and Viejas Reservation.

A wind advisory and red flag warning are in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday for the county's mountains and valleys, according to the National Weather Service.

"Patrolling and inspecting power lines are the first steps in the restoration process after a PSPS," the company said. "Although inspections are underway, it can be difficult to predict how long an inspection may take, given the varied length of each power line, the terrain and whether aerial inspections are required. If damage is found, repairs must be made before power can be restored safely."

SDG&E opened community resource centers to assist affected communities. Centers have wi-fi and charging stations for phone and medical devices.

A list of impacted communities and community resource center locations is available at sdge.com/ready.