Learn about Public Safety Power Shutoffs
Public Safety Power Shutoff overview
High winds can cause trees or debris to damage electric lines and cause wildfires. As a result, we may need to turn off power during severe weather. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).
Play the PSPS overview video
Access an audio descriptive version
Download a transcript (PDF, 92 KB)
Outage timeline and what to expect
We will always do our best to share what we know about the weather and our equipment as soon as we can, keeping in mind weather conditions can be uncertain. The timeline for a PSPS includes:
Severe Weather Forecasted
When: Up to a week before
What: Our weather specialists forecast potential severe weather.
PSPS Watch Notifications (outages likely)
When: Two days before
What: We notify you if you are in an area that may be affected by a PSPS. We let you know the potential estimated power shutoff start time and restoration time.
PSPS Warning Notifications (outages required)
When: One day before
What: We notify you if you are in an area that will be affected by a PSPS. We let you know the potential estimated power shutoff start time and restoration time.
Power Shutoff
When: During severe weather
What: Power is shut off to affected areas to prevent wildfire.
Inspections and repairs
When: After weather has improved
What: Our crews inspect electric lines to restore power to affected communities as quickly and safely as possible. We notify you daily about the estimated time of power restoration through notifications, social media, local news, radio and our website.
PSPS Power Restored
When: Within 24 hours after severe weather has passed
What: Power is restored to affected communities.
Learn more about PSPS
Like the weather, a PSPS can be unpredictable and complex. The following resources can help you understand and prepare for them.
PSPS updates and alerts
Track the status of a current PSPS. Sign up for PSPS notifications and learn how and when you’ll be notified.
Why PSPS occurs
Discover what factors go into the decision to turn off power to help prevent wildfires and find the weather tools that show if a PSPS will occur in your area.
Improving PSPS
Find out what we are doing every day to make our system safer and more resilient. Also, learn how we're improving PSPS for our customers and communities.
A PSPS planning map to help you prepare
Use our interactive online map to learn where a PSPS event is more likely to happen and view past PSPS events in your area.
More resources
- To find a more detailed account of what to expect in a PSPS, download Public Safety Power Shutoff Policies and Procedures (PDF, 4.6 MB).
- To learn more about our PSPS decision-making process, download the PSPS Decision-Making Technical Fact Sheet (PDF, 8.65 MB).
- To find tips on staying safe during a PSPS, download Prepare for a Power Outage (PDF, 904 KB).
- To find suggested emergency kit supplies, download the Emergency Checklist (PDF, 930 KB).
- To create a personalized emergency plan in the event of an evacuation, visit our emergency plan page.
- To report or view current outages, visit our outages map.
- To learn more about the PSPS program, weather factors, alerts and ways to prepare, download the PSPS Fact Sheet (PDF, 432 KB).
- Help your tenants be prepared for PSPS, download the flyer (PDF, 72 KB).
- For customers with medical or independent living needs, download the Aging and Disability Emergency Preparedness Brochure (PDF, 241 KB).