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Rain Forecast; PG&E Prepares For Outages

The utility has put people on call in case this storm's rain and wind knocks out electricity but blackouts have been relatively few. Local airports are facing delays.

 

Updated 2:30 pm

Rain is expected to return this morning, and you can expect to see it for at least two more days.

The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy rain and strong winds Friday morning with rain continuing all day.

More rain and wind is expected Saturday with showers on Sunday.

That's a weather combination that worries Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

Jason King, a PG&E spokesman, said the utility has beefed up its staffing for Friday and has people on call in case the latest storm knocks out electricity.

King said PG&E also has set up a communications command center so it can dispatch people to whatever areas need them the most.

"We want to have everything under one roof so we can respond quickly and efficiently," he said.

As of 2:30 pm Friday outages were relatively few:

  1. Two different outages affected 27 customers in El Cerrito
  2. 8 customers were powerless in Lafayette
  3. 6 customers were blacked out in Martinez
  4. Oakland had three and Concord two cutomers without power
  5. Fremont, Berkeley and Richmond each had one powerless customer.

King said said residents can get the latest information on outages on the utilty's website. They can also call 1-800-743-5000.

He said residents should have plenty of batteries on hand in case outages are lengthy. He also cautioned people to be careful with candles to make sure they don't catch curtains or other materials on fire.

King added that if you see a downed power line, assume it is live and stay away from it. Call 9-1-1 and let them know the location.

Weather affecting SFO more than Oakland Airport

At San Francisco International Airport, 25 arrivals and 25 departures were canceled this morning. Other flights are seeing delays of up to 90 minutes. Flights to midwest and East Coast airports are affected, with longer delays for flights arriving at Newark International Airport.

An estimated 130,000 passengers are expected to pass through SFO today.

Oakland International Airport had no cancellations, according to airport operations staff.

According to the National Weather Service, rain is moving south from the North Bay this morning and will continue to fall through Sunday, making for a soggy weekend throughout the Bay Area.

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Palermo May 20, 2013 at 03:32 pm
I have found it's very hard to find a parking spot there. Another negative is the number of theRead More "constant outsdoorsmen" types lurking all around. I've been confronted several times and worried about leaving my car there.
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Beau Behan May 17, 2013 at 09:36 am
Hi Robert, Thanks for dropping in and checking out the blog. The new Patch look is so 'new' as I amRead More still learning to navigate through. Just updated it and added the link to my film review. Thanks again. Cheers!
Robert Rothgery May 17, 2013 at 09:30 am
I am happy to know that Mr. Behan's review of "STID" is now available. Might we knowRead More where it is available? Perhaps I am just an Apple lovin' technopeasant, but despite my frantic serial clicking on text without links, I could not find the actual story. Alas and alack I may never know why there is no darkness in "...Into Darkness" (or Lightness). Oh, and welcome back Jim!
Dick Duncan May 22, 2013 at 09:55 am
Do City Council members still get free parking passes as perk?
Palermo May 20, 2013 at 03:30 pm
The main reason I don't go to any of the businesses downtown is the lack of parking. What littleRead More there is is taken up by the owners of these establishments. God forbid they park somewhere else less convenient so actual paying customers can frequent their businesses.
Captain Bebops May 19, 2013 at 09:47 am
Jim, then that's yet another penalty for showing up for jury duty. The system needs a big overhaul.Read More