SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—PG&E announced Monday that workers have begun to restore electricity to the 45,000 homes and businesses in Santa Cruz County affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).
County spokesman Jason Hoppin said that it could take as long as 48 hours for the “re-energization” to be complete.
“Power restoration requires visual inspection of lines, including by helicopter,” Hoppin stated in a press release. “Residents may see increases in those types of activities in their neighborhoods. PG&E cautions that wind damage on the system is expected, and power restoration in damaged areas may be delayed.”
There were reports Monday of wind damage and downed trees throughout the County.
In Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Aptos High and Aptos Junior High were closed Monday, along with Valencia, Calabasas, Rio Del Mar and Bradley elementary schools.
An estimated 300 people in Watsonville lost power, although that was not part of the planned outage.
The power was shut off in advance of predicted heavy winds.
PG&E said Monday that a new potential wind event may impact Santa Cruz County beginning early Tuesday morning.
It is unclear whether that will lead to another PSPS in Santa Cruz County.
PG&E community resource centers at Siltanen Park in Scotts Valley, Costco in Santa Cruz and Twin Lakes Church in Aptos will remain open until power is restored. There, residents can charge their electronic devices and get water.
