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PG&E is warning of potential power outages as a storm moves through the region Thursday through Sunday with persistent rain, heavy wind and even a rare blizzard warning further inland.
Winds could reach speeds of between 30-40 mph on Thursday while rain will intensify into Friday and continue throughout the weekend. Between 1.5-2 inches are forecast for San Francisco.
Dalton Behringer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the rain will cause moderate soil saturation, but he did not anticipate as significant problems as past storms with tree uprooting.
PG&E is staging crews and equipment in advance of the storm to expedite any repair work that is needed, but the utility warned that residents in remote, elevated areas could face days without power.
Snow is forecast for elevations above 2,000 feet and a few inches are forecast for Mt. Diablo in Contra Costa County.
Road conditions in the Sierra foothills are expected to deteriorate rapidly on Friday as a blizzard warning is in effect from 4 a.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Sunday. Driving conditions are forecast to be “nearly impossible,” according to the Weather Service. Drivers are urged not to travel in the area. Closures are anticipated on Interstate Highway 80 and U.S. Highway 50.
A high surf advisory from the Weather Service is also in effect for coastal areas from 10 a.m. on Friday to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Waves between 15-20 feet are forecast from the North Bay down to the Central Coast.
“The west-facing beaches are going to see the worst, so people need to be careful going out there,” said Behringer.
He reminded beachgoers to not turn their back to the water and to be aware that waves can gather and break faster than anticipated during high surf events.
PG&E has an updated outage map that can be accessed at pgealerts.alerts.pge.com.
PG&E storm updates can be viewed here.
PG&E also reminded the public to never touch downed wires, use flashlights rather than candles if power goes out in the home, and to have a portable charging device for a cellphone.
Resources
The following Mountain View facilities will be open for those looking to charge their devices and get on Wi-Fi:
- Mountain View Public Library (585 Franklin St.) – will be open to the public Thursday, Feb. 29, from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Friday, March 1, and Saturday, March 2, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (All ages)
- Mountain View Community Center (201 S. Rengstorff Ave.) – will be open to the public Thursday, Feb. 29, from 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday, March 1, from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, March 2, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (All ages)
- Mountain View Senior Center (266 Escuela Ave.) – will be open to the public Thursday, Feb. 29, from 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m., and Friday, March 1, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Those 55 and older)
- The Police Services Fire Administration Building lobby (1000 Villa St.) – will be open to the public Thursday, Feb. 29, and Friday, March 1, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (All ages)
The Mountain View Police and Fire Administration building accepts visitors and their pets as long as pets are not aggressive. All animals must be leashed or caged in an animal carrier. The Mountain View Library, Community Center and Senior Center allow service animals with their owners.
If you need assistance with a fallen tree, you can contact the city’s Forestry Division at 650-903-6273. The office is staffed Monday to Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Links to Midpeninsula-specific storm updates can be found below:
• Atherton • Menlo Park
