PG&E power shutdowns affecting Hayward and Fairview Fire Protection District now planned between 8 and 10 p.m. tonight

HAYWARD, Calif., Oct. 9, 2019—Pacific Gas and Electric Co. says it is now planning to shut down power to Alameda County between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. tonight in response to a forecasted red-flag wind event that has been late in arriving.

In response, the City of Hayward has increased firefighter, police and emergency-dispatch staffing levels, and opened a cooling and device-charging center at City Hall.

Hayward and Fairview Fire Protection District residents are invited to call (510) 583-4949 and visit www.hayward-ca.gov/psps online for up-to-date information on the wind event and power outages.  Due to anticipated increased service demand, residents are urged to avoid calling 911 except in an emergency.

The forecast wind event, combined with high temperatures and low humidity, is currently predicted to begin between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. tonight in the Bay Area and last about 24 hours.  To reduce the risk of fire sparked by its transmission and distribution infrastructure, PG&E announced “Public Safety Power Shutoffs” to affect more than 800,000 customers in 30 northern, central, coastal California counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa and Sonoma in the Bay Area.

Areas of Hayward expected to be affected by the power shutoffs are in the foothills East of Mission Boulevard as well as a large portion of Fairview.

Although the wind event is expected to end by Thursday night, PG&E has advised the City that it could take up to five days to have power restored to all affected areas across the state.  Residents are encouraged to plan accordingly:

• Fuel up vehicles
• Have flashlights on hand instead of candles
• Charge mobile phones, other devices and re-chargeable batteries
• Stock up on water, ice and non-perishable food supplies for at least 72 hours

The City’s cooling and device-charging center has been established in the rotunda of City Hall, 777 B Street.  It will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting Thursday until no longer needed.  A second Hayward center has been established by Hayward Area Recreation and Park District at San Felipe Community Center, 2058 D Street.  It is scheduled to be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The non-emergency telephone line, (510) 583-4949, and website, www.hayward-ca.gov/psps, have been established by the City as additional informational resources due to failures users have experienced trying access PG&E’s online information.