The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is reporting that PG&E has indicated that portions of Humboldt County have received the “all clear,” meaning weather conditions no longer pose an elevated fire risk, allowing the company to being inspecting its lines in an effort to restore power, a process that could still take some days. […]
PG&E
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Update: Power Out, Restoration Estimates Remain Unchanged
UPDATE: According to the Humboldt Office of Emergency Services, power started going out in Humboldt around 9:30 last night. Restoration estimates remain the same. PG&E expects weather conditions to improve by 4 p.m. today, after which it will have to inspect lines before restoring power, which could take several days. See past coverage for information […]
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As Blackout Looms, Arcata Nonprofit Preps Free Meal Services, Seeks Volunteers and Donations
With PG&E’s public safety blackout looming, Arcata House Partnership is again planning to provide a free meal services during the shutoff and is asking for volunteers and donations to aid the effort. While estimates as to when the shutoff will start continue to fluctuate — PG&E has offered differing estimates throughout the day with the […]
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UPDATE: Blackout Could Hit Humboldt Hours Earlier Than Expected, Sheriff Warns to Prepare to Lose Power at Any Time
UPDATE: In the company’s latest press release, PG&E is notifying the public that power will be shut off to more than 900,000 customers across 36 California counties in phases this afternoon. And the list of scheduled phases indicates power may be cut in Humboldt County earlier than the company is reporting. PG&E has repeatedly told […]
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Finding Groceries When the Lights go Out
UPDATE: Costco will be up and running on generators, as will Walmart and Target. Ferndale’s Valley Grocery plans to stay open with the generator running. Just like during the last blackout, Iłwai kiliwh market in Hoopa will be open and running on a generator. CC Market in Rio Dell will not only be open during […]
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Where to Get Medical Supplies, Charge Devices During the Blackout
With Humboldt County’s impending blackout looming, the county Office of Emergency Services is urging residents to stock up on enough medical supplies to last at least a few days and officials are scurrying to set up medical device charging stations throughout the county. The entirety of Humboldt County is expected to lose power Saturday afternoon […]
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Alert: Humboldt Will Lose Power, Possibly for Four Days
The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services has issued a countywide alert warning that all PG&E customers in the county will lose power early tomorrow afternoon due to the Public Safety Power Shutoff being enacted in the face of severe fire conditions in portions of Humboldt County and surrounding areas. The office is urging residents […]
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Amid ‘Frustration’ with Lack of Information, Officials Warn Everyone Should Prepare for Blackout (with Preparedness Checklist)
Humboldt County officials are hoping to get some clarity this morning on what they should expect from the PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff that the company has warned may impact the entirety of the county beginning Saturday evening. As with the shutoffs that left the county dark for 28 hours on Oct. 8 and Oct. […]
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UPDATE: OES Warns Entirety of Humboldt May Go Dark Saturday
UPDATE: The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is now advising that the entirety of Humboldt County is considered “in scope” for the PG&E blackout slated to begin Saturday night and all residents should be prepared to be without electricity for days. According to OES, PG&E’s prior advisories that only 2,188 customers would be affected […]
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UPDATE: Humboldt Expected to be Impacted by PG&E Blackout Saturday
UPDATE: The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is warning that PG&E currently expects 2,188 Humboldt County customers to lose power Saturday night as a result of local fire conditions. The office says it does not yet have more information about where the outages will be, when the power will be cut or how long […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Energy Literacy
Perhaps the biggest breakdown in the recent power shutoff was communication. As I write this, the California Public Utilities Commission has convened an emergency meeting with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. about the blackout. High among the commissioners’ concerns are PG&E’s communication failures to local governments, state agencies and customers during this event. As important […]
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Humboldt Not Currently Included in PG&E Outage Warning
PG&E is warning of another round of Public Safety Power Shutoffs due to expected dry and windy conditions Wednesday and Thursday, but does not include Humboldt County on its list. In a Facebook post, the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services acknowledges the “healthy skepticism” local residents may have about the company’s announcement “since we […]