As wildfire season approaches, Southern Marin residents and businesses should prepare for planned and unexpected power outages. Equipment failures, fallen trees and other emergencies can interrupt power without warning. Could you safely manage an outage lasting 24–48 hours?
Prepare now by keeping:
- Water and nonperishable food
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Portable phone chargers
- Medications and first-aid supplies
- A battery-powered radio
- Cash and essential documents
- Supplies for pets and children
Power outages can affect refrigeration, internet service, garage doors, medical equipment, alarms, security systems and electronic payments. Keep your PG&E contact information current, sign up for outage alerts and make a backup plan for electrically powered medical or mobility equipment.
Businesses should identify critical systems, establish safe closing procedures and prepare backup plans for communications, payments, refrigeration and security. Keep employee contact information current and communicate service or operating-hour changes to customers.
Generators must always be operated outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents. Never connect a portable generator directly to a wall outlet or building wiring.
During an outage, use flashlights instead of candles, conserve phone batteries and check on neighbors who may need assistance. Stay away from downed power lines and call 911 for immediate hazards.
Learn more through PG&E’s Power Outage Resources.
