Hayward prepares for red-flag wind event, PG&E’s planned power shutdowns

HAYWARD, Calif., Oct. 8, 2019—The City of Hayward is increasing firefighter, police and emergency-dispatch staffing levels, and opening a cooling and device-charging center at City Hall in response to the red-flag wind event forecast to begin early Wednesday and associated planned power shutdowns by Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

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 from the City of Hayward on the wind event and power outages.  Due to anticipated increased demand, residents also are urged to avoid calling 911 except in an emergency.

The wind event, combined with high temperatures and low humidity, is currently predicted to begin at 4 a.m. Wednesday and run through noon Thursday.  To reduce the risk of fire sparked by its transmission and distribution infrastructure, PG&E has announced it will conduct “Public Safety Power Shutoffs” to begin at midnight tonight and affect more than 600,000 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 noon Thursday, 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 temporary cooling and device-charging center is being established in the rotunda of City Hall, 777 B Street, Hayward, and will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting Thursday until no longer needed.

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.