Bay Area Storms Cause Widespread Power Outages
A series of powerful storms brought heavy rain and high winds to the Bay Area, leading to widespread power outages and flooding. Pacific Gas & Electric reported tens of thousands of customers were left without power. Emergency crews are working to restore service and clear numerous roads blocked by downed trees and debris.
- The series of storms brought unusually cold air to the region, with the National Weather Service forecasting the coldest day since February 2023 for some parts of the North Bay. This cold air mass allowed for the possibility of snow at higher elevations, including Mount Hamilton and the mountains of interior Monterey and San Benito counties. - At its peak, one of the storm systems knocked out power to more than 7,000 customers across the Peninsula and South Bay. San Mateo County was particularly affected, with initial reports showing over 4,100 customers impacted in neighborhoods like Brentwood Park and Avalon Park. - The National Weather Service issued multiple advisories, including a wind advisory for the coast with gusts expected between 30 to 40 mph, and potentially exceeding 50 mph in and around thunderstorms. A coastal flood advisory was also in effect due to the combination of spring tides and storm surge. - The storms had a wider impact than just residential power, causing a multi-hour power outage at Stanford University that led to the cancellation of some classes and the temporary closure of most dining halls. - In San Mateo County alone, the storm at its height impacted 6,000 customers in Belmont and 9,000 in Pacifica, South San Francisco, and San Bruno. The outages were largely attributed to high wind gusts, which reached 50 to 60 mph in the Santa Cruz Mountains. - The weather system was part of a larger series of storms affecting Northern California, with over 37,000 PG&E customers in the Northern California high country, including the Sierra foothills, also losing power. - Heavy rainfall was a significant factor, with parts of Marin County and the East Bay hills receiving an inch of rain, while sensors at the Marin Civic Center recorded 2.75 inches. This prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flood advisory for most Bay Area counties. - The atmospheric conditions were unstable enough to produce thunderstorms capable of generating lightning, small hail, and even waterspouts, which are uncommon for the Bay Area. A lightning strike in the East Bay was reported to have split a tree, causing it to fall onto a power line.
