Power shutoffs 'likely' for thousands of Bay Area customers on Election Day: PG&E

(KRON) -- Customers across a dozen Northern California counties are "likely" to lose their power this week, PG&E announced Sunday. Due to high winds and dry conditions, PG&E is enacting Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) from Election Day on Tuesday until Thursday.

Six Bay Area counties are "under watch," and residents in those areas are likely to have their power shut off. According to PG&E, these counties are affected, including an estimate of how many customers may be impacted:

• Alameda: 449
• Contra Costa: 940
• Napa: 3,601
• Santa Clara: 918
• Solano: 3,591
• Sonoma: 1,202

The shutoffs are meant to mitigate fire risk that typically arises from high winds and dry conditions. PG&E said the earliest outages would be 7 p.m. Tuesday.

As of Sunday night, specific addresses and maps for the areas affected by the PSPS are not yet available on PG&E's website.

Several inland cities in the Bay Area are expected to have strong winds come Tuesday night. According to the KRON4 weather team, by 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, wind gusts could reach 36 mph in cities like Fairfield and Livermore.

PG&E acknowledged the PSPS is on Election Day with 7,000 polling locations located in its service areas across California. The agency said the earliest a polling location could be impacted by the PSPS is 9:30 p.m., which is after in-person voting.

What is a PSPS?

According to PG&E, "severe weather, such as high winds, can cause trees or debris to damage equipment." Certain conditions, such as dry vegetation, can lead to a wildfire.

Other conditions that may lead to PG&E to plan a PSPS.

• Low humidity levels (generally 30% and below)
• Forecasted high winds above 19 mph
• Wind gusts above 30-40 mph
• Dry material on the ground
• Vegetation near powerlines.