UPDATE: A significant power outage has left 21,000 customers without electricity across San Francisco, disrupting one of the busiest shopping weekends before Christmas. The outage, which began shortly after noon on Saturday, December 9, 2023, initially affected the western part of the city and rapidly spread to several neighborhoods, including much of downtown.
The situation remains critical as PG&E continues to work on restoring power. As of Sunday morning, many homes and businesses are still in the dark, with the utility reporting that at one point, approximately one-third of all San Francisco customers were impacted.
Authorities are investigating a potential link between the outage and a fire that occurred at a PG&E substation near Eighth and Mission streets. San Francisco Fire Department Lt. Mariano Elias stated,
“We do not know exactly which happened first, meaning if the fire caused the outage or not. It’s too early to tell at this time, but in order for us to work there in a safe operation, we need the power off.”
The blackout has caused widespread disruptions, particularly in transportation. Major traffic signals went dark at critical intersections, leading to severe congestion throughout the city. Additionally, BART has temporarily closed its Powell Street and Civic Center stations, further complicating travel for commuters and holiday shoppers.
The outage has also affected autonomous vehicle services in San Francisco. Waymo suspended its robotaxi operations due to safety concerns, with reports of several of their vehicles stalled in intersections, prompting nearly-collisions. A spokesperson for Waymo emphasized,
“We are focused on keeping our riders safe and ensuring emergency personnel have the clear access they need to do their work.”
The company indicated plans to resume service “soon,” but no specific timeline has been provided.
As recovery efforts continue, residents are urged to stay informed and prepare for potential delays in power restoration. Authorities are expected to provide updates throughout the day, and residents should monitor local news for the latest information.
This developing situation is crucial for thousands of San Francisco residents and businesses, especially during this peak holiday shopping season. Stay tuned for further updates on power restoration and city services.
