Getting Through a PSPS
PG&E ran five Public Safety Power Shutoff events in 2024. Here is how to be ready for the next one.
In 2024, PG&E ran PSPS events in July (twice), September, and October across the Santa Cruz Mountains. Some lasted a few hours. Some went well past 24. When they hit 95033, the challenge is not just losing power. Cell towers in parts of our zip code run on backup batteries that typically last 4 to 8 hours. After that, you may lose both power and the ability to receive emergency alerts on your phone.
PG&E is required to give at least 48 hours advance notice before a PSPS when conditions allow, and they publish a 7-day forecast on their outage site. The most useful thing you can do right now is make sure your contact info is current with PG&E so you receive those alerts. Go to pge.com, log into your account, and verify your phone number and email under notifications.
Generators and fuel storage
A standard portable generator in the 3,500 to 5,000 watt range will run a refrigerator, a few lights, and a phone charger. Expect to pay $400 to $900 at Home Depot or Costco. Costco has an amazing return policy so if your generator is a lemon, you can easily return it. Propane-powered or dual-fuel generators are easier to maintain because propane does not degrade the way gasoline does.
If you are using gasoline, store it in red CARB-compliant plastic containers. Do not use glass, milk jugs, or anything without proper labeling. California fire codes limit residential gasoline storage to 25 gallons. Keep containers in a detached shed or garage, not inside your home, not in direct sunlight, and away from any appliance with a pilot light including water heaters. Gasoline begins degrading in 30 to 90 days without a stabilizer. Add STA-BIL or Star Tron at the manufacturer’s ratio when you fill the cans, which extends shelf life to 12 months. Write the fill date on the container with a marker. Use old fuel in your car since it works fine for that, and replace with fresh gas once a year. Never refuel a running or hot generator. Shut it down and let it cool for at least 10 minutes first.
Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or within 20 feet of a window or door. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of generator-related deaths during power outages. It is odorless and kills fast. Place the generator outside and downwind from the house. If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector, buy one. It could save your life.
Medical equipment
If you or someone in your household depends on powered medical equipment, register with PG&E’s Medical Baseline program at pge.com/medicalbaseline. PG&E is required to make direct contact with registered medical customers before a PSPS. You should also contact your PGE about backup battery options for your specific device.
Community Resource Centers
During a PSPS, PG&E sets up Community Resource Centers with charging stations, WiFi, bottled water, and air conditioning. Locations vary by event. They are listed at pge.com and announced through AlertSCC. In past events affecting 95033, the closest centers have been in Los Gatos and Saratoga.
Key Contacts and Resources
- PG&E outages and PSPS alerts — pge.com — 1-800-743-5002
- PG&E 7-day PSPS forecast — pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/psps-updates/7day
- PG&E Medical Baseline enrollment — pge.com/medicalbaseline
- AlertSCC emergency alerts — alertscc.net
- County emergency preparedness — oem.santaclaracounty.gov