PG&E power shutoffs likely in San Joaquin County; 6,352 customers could be impacted

Thousands of Pacific Gas and Electric Company customers, including 6,352 customers in San Joaquin County, may lose their power on Saturday as the utility plans for possible public safety shutoffs.

Customers in seven counties, mainly in the Central Valley, were notified on Friday that PG&E could cut electricity to as many as 16,000 businesses and homes after forecasters predicted the potential for dangerous weather conditions.

Saturday's high temperature in Stockton is expected to reach 98 degrees, with west winds between six to 13 mph and gusts as high as 21 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento.

Public safety power shutoffs are a last resort measure that PG&E and other utilities take to prevent wildfires during times of high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions that could lead to a catastrophic wildfire, PG&E officials stated.

Here's a list of counties where shutoffs are likely to happen and how many customers might be affected this weekend:

• Alameda: 163 customers
• Contra Costa: 328 customers
• Fresno: 3 customers
• Merced: 3,979 customers
• San Benito: 193 customers
• San Joaquin: 6,352 customers
• Stanislaus: 5,028 customers

The shutoffs are expected to start at 11 a.m. and power can be restored as early as Saturday evening, according to PG&E.

Restoring power to affected customers typically takes several hours once the weather “all clear” notification has been given. PG&E crews need time to inspect power lines after severe weather has passed.

Customers can search for their address on PG&E's website to find out if their area is being monitored for the shutoff here.

Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.