Outages Possible, Rain To Continue In Walnut Creek

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Power outages and even pole fires are possible this week as the Bay Area is dealt the first rain of the winter season, PG&E said, prompting the utility to remind Walnut Creek customers of winter storm safety practices.

Rain showers and possible isolated thunderstorms are expected to continue in Walnut Creek and across Northern and Central California through as late as Saturday of this week.

Forecast totals are 0.5 to 2 inches for most areas, with higher amounts in coastal mountains and lower amounts in sheltered valleys, according to the National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area.

"There is a moderate amount of uncertainty [about which part of the Bay Area] will get the heaviest rain from this storm, so be sure to keep up with the latest forecast info as we get closer," the weather service said Wednesday evening.

Because dust and dirt can build up throughout the year, the first rain of the season, or even heavy mist or fog, can turn this accumulated dirt and dust into mud. This in turn can conduct electricity and lead to outages and in some cases, small pole fires, according to Tamar Sarkissian, the PG&E spokesperson for Contra Costa County and the East Bay.

"PG&E’s meteorology team has developed a Storm Outage Prediction Model that incorporates real-time weather forecasts, historical data and system knowledge to predict where and when storm impacts will be most severe," Sarkissian said. "This model enables the company to pre-stage crews and equipment as storms approach to enable rapid response to outages."

Customers are encouraged to also be prepared and do their part to stay safe during this week's storm and throughout the winter, Sarkissian said.

Here are some tips from PG&E for staying safe:

• 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 911 and by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.
• Use flashlights, not candles: During a power outage, use battery-operated flashlights, and not candles, due to the risk of fire. If you must use candles, please keep them away from drapes, lampshades 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.
• Have fresh drinking water, ice: Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer during an outage to prevent foods from spoiling. Blue Ice from your picnic cooler also works well in the freezer.
• Use generators safely: Customers with standby electric generators should make sure 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 power lines. If using portable generators, be sure they are in a well-ventilated area.
• 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. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal.
• Safely clean up: After the inclement weather has passed, be sure to safely clean up. Never touch downed wires and always call 811 or visit 811express.com at least two full business days before digging to have all underground utilities safely marked.

Here is the National Weather Service's current seven-day forecast for Walnut Creek:

Wednesday Night
Rain, mainly before 4am. Low around 50. North northeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday
Rain likely, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. North northeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night
Rain likely, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. North northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday
Rain. High near 68. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night
Rain before 10pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 10pm. Low around 54. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10am, then rain likely, mainly between 10am and 4pm. High near 66. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of rain before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 68.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 68.

Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.