San Francisco Grapples with Massive Power Outage: Substation Fire Suspected

San Francisco Grapples with Massive Power Outage: Substation Fire Suspected

San Francisco experienced widespread power outages on Saturday, leaving over 130,000 Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers without electricity. The outage, which began in the Inner Sunset neighborhood around 9:40 a.m., quickly spread to other areas, including the Richmond District, the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and parts of downtown.

The San Francisco Fire Department reported a fire at the PG&E substation at 8th and Mission streets at 2:14 p.m. While PG&E is investigating the cause of the outage, the fire department indicated the substation fire could be a major contributing factor.

The power outage has had significant impacts across the city. Several BART stations, including Powell St., Civic Center, and Van Ness, were temporarily closed, and Muni service faced disruptions, with trains unable to operate underground. The SFMTA advised residents to avoid non-essential travel and offered shuttle service between West Portal and Caltrain.

Traffic congestion plagued parts of downtown as traffic lights went dark at major intersections. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management urged drivers to treat affected intersections as four-way stops. Businesses, including a Walgreens on Market and Ninth Street, were also impacted.

Cultural and entertainment venues were not spared. The matinee performance of Moulin Rouge at the Orpheum Theatre was canceled after the power went out just five minutes into the show. The Chase Center also experienced a brief power outage.

PG&E crews were evaluating the problem, but as of 5:30 p.m., there was no estimated time for full power restoration. Initial estimates had suggested most customers would have power back by 3:45 p.m., with others restored by 7:15 p.m., but those projections proved inaccurate.

San Francisco city officials have asked the public to refrain from calling 911 to report power outages unless there is a life-threatening emergency, to keep emergency lines open for critical situations.

Supervisor Matt Dorsey, representing the South of Market district, noted that the same substation was responsible for a large blackout on December 21, 2003, which affected approximately 120,000 customers. This raises concerns about the reliability of the city's infrastructure and the potential for future disruptions.

The outage occurred amidst forecasts of rain and wind gusts up to 25 mph, further complicating the situation for residents and emergency services. Rainy conditions are expected to continue throughout the week, potentially hindering restoration efforts.

The widespread power outage highlights the vulnerability of urban infrastructure and the importance of resilient energy systems. As investigations continue into the cause of the substation fire and the broader outage, San Franciscans are left to grapple with the immediate disruptions and ponder the long-term implications for the city's power grid.