A significant power outage affected approximately 30% of San Francisco on Saturday, impacting around 130,000 customers, according to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The outages began early in the day, with the first reports emerging from the Inner Sunset neighborhood around 9:40 a.m., affecting about 14,700 customers. By 10:10 a.m., the situation escalated, impacting an additional 25,000 customers across the Richmond District, the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and other areas.
As the day progressed, outages spread to various neighborhoods, including the Tenderloin, downtown, the Mission District, and notably included locations like the Chase Center and the Western Addition. PG&E spokesman Edgar Hoida stated that the cause of the outages was still under investigation, and by 6:44 p.m., the outage status indicated that roughly 124,555 customers were without power.
City officials urged residents to refrain from calling 911 to report power outages unless there was a life-threatening emergency, in order to keep emergency lines open for critical situations. Mayor Daniel Lurie advised the public to stay off the streets due to inoperable traffic lights across the city. Supervisor Matt Dorsey pointed out that the issue was centered around a substation located at 8th and Mission Streets in the South of Market neighborhood, where a fire was reported at 2:14 p.m.
Lurie expressed uncertainty regarding the timeline for power restoration, asking residents to stay home and prioritize safety amid the ongoing situation. This particular substation had a history of outages, including a notable blackout in December 2003 that affected about 120,000 customers.
In addition to the power outage, internet services from multiple providers, including Monkey Brains, were also disrupted. Although rain was forecasted for the day, there was no indication that weather conditions contributed to the outages. The National Weather Service warned of possible wind gusts reaching up to 25 mph as additional rain was expected through the week.
The outage caused major disruptions to public transportation systems. BART announced that Civic Center and Van Ness stations were closed due to the power issues, with Powell Street station reopening later in the evening. Limited BART service continued on certain lines while red line trains were suspended between Richmond and Millbrae. Muni services also faced interruptions, as trains were unable to access underground stations, although shuttle services were established for limited routes.
As traffic lights failed throughout the downtown area, traffic congestion intensified, with authorities advising drivers to treat non-functioning signals as stop signs. Businesses, including a Walgreens at Market and Ninth Street, experienced closures as a result of the outage.
The outage notably interrupted performances at the Orpheum Theatre, where a matinee showing of “Moulin Rouge” was canceled shortly after it began. One disappointed attendee recounted experiencing just a few minutes of the show before the power outage forced an end to the performance.
While PG&E had not provided an estimated restoration time by 5:30 p.m., city officials and residents remained hopeful for a swift resolution to the widespread disruptions caused by the outage.
