Current Information – PG&E Power Update

PG&E has lowered the number of customers impacted by the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) from 23,435 to 14,558 metered locations in Marin County, including parts of Fairfax. At this time, we believe approximately 1,800 Fairfax locations will still be impacted by the PSPS. This is clearly a dynamic situation subject to change at any time.

The Power Shutoff is projected to start Wednesday November 20th at around 5:00 pm (slightly later than previously reported). PG&E expects to receive the all clear and start line inspections on Thursday November 21st at 8:00 am (this has not changed). This means it could take 24 – 48 hrs from the start of inspections for everyone to have power restored.

SAFETY REMINDERS DURING AN OUTAGE:

• Stay off roads to reduce the risk of traffic collisions during outage conditions. Also, driving during strong wind events can be difficult as they can pose additional hazards such as fallen trees and debris in the roadway. If you can remain safely indoors, stay home.
• During a power outage, treat unlit traffic lights as a four way stop.
• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer. If internal refrigerator temperatures exceed 40 degrees, do not consume perishable foods. When it doubt, throw it out.
• Maintain food supplies that do not require refrigeration.
• Check on your neighbors. Older adults and young children are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
• Go to a designated charging station or community resource center if heat or cold is extreme.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment, or electronics. Power may return with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can cause damage.
• Turn off irrigation systems and reduce water use. Conserving water eases demand on backup generators and ensures we have enough water for firefighting and other essential needs.
• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Use extreme caution when operating gas powered generators. Always read your owner’s manual before operating your generator. Avoid overloading your generator by following the manufacturer’s directions for load capacity. Use your generator outside with the exhaust directed away from openings to your home or nearby buildings. Generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows.  Generators need to cool before refueling or could spark a fire. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.  
• During a power outage, auto-igniters on gas appliances (e.g., gas stoves) will not work.  Use extreme caution when lighting burners with a match. 

 

WHO TO CONTACT FOR INFORMATION:

Only call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing a medical emergency (e.g., severe bleeding, chest pain, etc.), or to report a downed power line or tree which could create a public hazard.  (See below for instructions on how to contact 911 if your cell phone is not working).

Call 2-1-1 for non-emergency calls, including questions about medical devices, community resource center and charging center locations, and referrals to other social services.  2-1-1 should be your primary contact number. In addition, residents can text MARINSHUTOFF to 898-211 (or MARINAPAGON to 898-211 for Spanish speaking residents) to receive helpful information.

All questions regarding PSPS events and extended outages should be directed to PG&E via their website and 1-800-743-5000. Residents and businesses can access updated PSPS information from PG&E online at www.pge.com/pspsupdates and verify impacted addresses atwww.pge.com/eventmaps.

HOW TO CONTACT 9-1-1 IN AN EMERGENCY IF CELL PHONES DO NOT WORK:

During a power outage, cell towers may lose battery power after a long period of time.

In the case of an emergency where your cell phone will not dial 9-1-1:

1. Traditional landline phones will still call 9-1-1.  However, VoIP internet phones will not work.
2. Fire Stations and Marin County Sheriff Substations have phones with direct connection to emergency dispatch.
3. Find your closest local Public Safety Facility. If no one is at the first one you go to (might be on an emergency call, etc.), please try the next facility closest to you.  Marin-area public safety facilities are listed below. 

 

FOOD INFORMATION

Most Marin residents affected by the October 26 outage were without power for a minimum of 48 hours, and many for 72 hours or more.  Perishable food must remain at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below to remain safe to eat.  Unless food was kept on ice for the duration of the outage, most perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers will need to be disposed. Follow USDA guidelines when evaluating each food item for disposal. When in Doubt, Throw it Out!

Residents who receive CalFresh assistance and lost food due to either the October 8 and/or October 26 Public Safety Power Shutoff events may apply for replacement benefits (up to 70%).  To apply for replacement benefits, contact Marin Health and Human Services at (877) 410-8817 or online at https://www.marinhhs.org/calfresh-snap.

MARIN COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES:

Belvedere Police – 450 San Rafael Avenue, Belvedere

Central Marin Police – 250 Doherty Drive, Larkspur,

Fairfax Police – 144 Bolinas Road, Fairfax

Marin County Sheriff (Main Office) – 1600 Los Gamos, San Rafael

Marin County Sheriff (Point Reyes) – 101 4^th Street, Point Reyes Station

Marin County Sheriff Southern Station – 850 Drake Avenue

Mill Valley Police – 1 Hamilton Drive   , Mill Valley

Novato Police – 909 Machin Avenue, Novato

Ross Police – 33 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross

San Rafael Police – 1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael

Sausalito Police – 29 Caledonia Street, Sausalito

Tiburon Police – 1155 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon

Central Marin Fire Station 13 – 5600 Paradise Drive, Corte Madera

Central Marin Fire Station 14 – 342 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera

Central Marin Fire Station 15 – 400 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur

Central Marin Fire Station 16 – 15 Barry Way, Kentfield

Kentfield Fire – 1004 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Greenbrae

Marinwood Fire – 777 Miller Creek Road, San Rafael

Marin County Fire (Marin City) – 850 Drake Avenue, Marin City

Marin County Fire (Point Reyes) – 101 4^th Street, Point Reyes Station

Marin County Fire (Throckmorton) – 816 Panoramic Highway, Mill Valley

Marin County Fire (Woodacre) – 33 Castle Rock Avenue, Woodacre

Marin County Fire (Tomales) – 26701 Shoreline Highway, Tomales

Mill Valley Fire  Station 6 – 26 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley

Mill Valley Fire Station 7 – 1 Hamilton Drive, Mill Valley

Novato Fire Station 61 – 7025 Redwood Blvd, Novato

Novato Fire Station 62 – 450 Atherton Avenue

Novato Fire Station 63 – 65 San Ramon Way, Novato

Novato Fire Station 64 – 319 Enfrente Road, Novato

Novato Fire Station 65 – 5 Bolling Drive, Novato

Ross Valley Fire Station 18 – 33 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross

Ross Valley Fire Station 19 – 777 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo

Ross Valley Fire Station 20 – 150 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo

Ross Valley Fire Station 21 – 10 Park Road, Fairfax

Southern Marin Fire Station 1 – 333 Johnson Street, Sausalito

Southern Marin Fire Station 4 – 304 Poplar Street, Mill Valley

Southern Marin Fire Station 9 – 308 Reed Blvd, Mill Valley

Tiburon Fire Station 10 – 4301 Paradise Drive, Tiburon

Tiburon Fire Station 11 – 1679 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon

San Rafael Fire Station 51 – 1051 C Street, San Rafael

San Rafael Fire Station 52 – 210 3^rd Street, San Rafael

San Rafael Fire Station 53 – 30 Joseph Court, San Rafael

San Rafael Fire Station 54 – 46 Castro Avenue, San Rafael

San Rafael Fire Station 55 – 955 Point San Pedro Road, San Rafael

San Rafael Fire Station 56 – 650 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael

AIR QUALITY TIPS :

Please be aware that wildfire containment and shifting winds can drastically change air quality in a short period of time. The most common symptoms are eye and throat irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Persons with health problems, especially respiratory or heart conditions, should take extra caution. Follow these precautions to protect your health:

• Minimize outdoor activities
• Stay indoors with windows and doors closed as much as possible
• Do not run fans that bring smoky outdoor air inside
• Run your air-conditioner only if it does not bring smoke in from the outdoors
• Consider leaving the area until smoke conditions improve if you experience symptoms related to smoke exposure

When to Seek Medical Attention: 

Contact your health care provider if you experience the following symptoms that do not improve after moving indoors or into a safe air quality environment:

•  Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
•  Wheezing
•  Chest tightness or pain

•  Palpitations
•  Nausea or unusual fatigue
•  Lightheadedness and/or feeling faint

As always, if you or someone you know is experiencing an emergency, call 9- 1-1.

Fore more information, visit: https://www.marinhhs.org/wildfire-air-quality

EMERGENCY MEDICAL FACILITIES:

If you are experiencing a medical emergency please visit your local hospital:

• Novato Community Hospital – 165 Rowland Way, Novato
• Kaiser Hospital – 99 Monticello, San Rafael
• Marin Health Medical Center (Marin General) – 250 Bon Air Road, Kentfield

New non-emergency hotline to help medically-vulnerable Californians during power shutoffs is (833) 284-3473.