PG&E Power Shutdown
Power Outages
Power Outages
As you may be aware, PG&E is prepared to implement Public Safety Power Shutoffs (also known as de-energization) when weather conditions put parts of our community at a high risk for fire. This important precaution is meant to help reduce the risk of wildfires. It is important to note that power outages are not new to our county—indeed, many rural schools regularly experience outages due to inclement weather. Standard practice in the county has been to cancel class if a power outage is expected to last more than two hours.
In the event of a planned PG&E power outage:
Communication We will cancel class for any schools expected to be impacted for more than two hours. Please note, power outages may not impact all schools within our district at the same time. In this case, only the schools with power outages will be closed. If we know the power will be out all day before the school day starts, school is likely to be canceled. We will give families as much notice as PG&E gives us.
Our aim is to communicate our intent to close school as soon as reasonably possible after receiving a notice of an upcoming power outage from PG&E. In some cases, this may come on short notice. As well, if a power outage occurs mid-day, we will handle closures on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the anticipated length of the outage, temperature, and weather/road conditions. We will use our mass communication system as well as posting on our website to notify families.
In all cases, student safety will be our top priority.
Making Up School Days
Should we need to close school for either of the above reasons, our district will first make up classes by using an emergency day built into our school calendar.
Resources
Following are some resources to help your family prepare personally:
- Address Lookup for Potential Power Shutoff
- gov: General Power-Outage Information | Fact Sheet PG&E Shutoff & Red Flag Warning
- PG&E: Public Safety Power Shutoff (including resident alert notification instructions)
- Preparing for Public Safety Power Shutoff
- Power of Being Prepared Fact Sheet
- PG&E: Emergency Supply Checklist
- California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: Homeowner’s Checklist
- PG&E: Community Safety Measures