Extended Power Outages
Power outages can happen for many reasons, and being prepared is an important part of your emergency plan . During wildfire season, Sonoma residents need to be prepared for the possibility of extended power outages related to Pacific Gas & Electric’s efforts to reduce wildfire risks (known as a Public Safety Power Shutoff or PSPS). Visit socoemergency.org/prepare for resources to prepare yourself, your family & friends, and your neighborhood for prolonged power outages. Sonoma County residents need to prepare for at least 5 days without electricity.
Learn more about how Sonoma residents and businesses can prepare for a PSPS, as well as the steps that the City of Sonoma has taken to be ready for a power shutoff.
To stay informed about potential and current Public Safety Power Shutoffs, be sure to sign up for PG&E Power Shutoff Alerts and use the tools below.
Access & Functional Needs
If you are Sonoma resident with a disability or access and functional needs (AFN), be sure to review the relevant information at SoCoEmergency.org as well as FEMA’s guide on "Preparing Makes Sense For People With Disabilities, Others with Access and Functional Needs and the Whole Community". In addition, PG&E has Emergency Planning Tips for People Who Rely on Electric or Battery Dependent Medical Devices.
Additional Resources include:
Sonoma Valley Hospital - Managing Health Conditions at Home During Power Outages
Disability Services & Legal Center - PSPS Backup Batteries for individuals on MediCal.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Durable Medical Equipment replacement in disasters and emergencies.
Ready.gov website: Preparedness Resources for individuals with access and functional needs.
If you are Sonoma resident with a disability or access and functional needs (AFN), be sure to review the relevant information at SoCoEmergency.org as well as FEMA’s guide on "Preparing Makes Sense For People With Disabilities, Others with Access and Functional Needs and the Whole Community". In addition, PG&E has Emergency Planning Tips for People Who Rely on Electric or Battery Dependent Medical Devices.
Additional Resources include:
Sonoma Valley Hospital - Managing Health Conditions at Home During Power Outages
Disability Services & Legal Center - PSPS Backup Batteries for individuals on MediCal.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Durable Medical Equipment replacement in disasters and emergencies.
Ready.gov website: Preparedness Resources for individuals with access and functional needs.
Generator and Backup Power
Some Sonoma residents may own or be interested in purchasing generators, portable power stations or battery technologies to prepare for loss of power. Make sure use of a generator is appropriate, safe and realistic for where you live. Incorrect generator use can lead to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning or dangerous electrical hazards.
The installation of devices or wiring designed to allow for a direct connection from a generator to a building’s electrical system, such as manual or automatic transfer switch, breaker interlock kit or similar device, should be installed by a qualified electrical contractor and the installation requires a permit and inspection from the City Building Department.
Some Sonoma residents may own or be interested in purchasing generators, portable power stations or battery technologies to prepare for loss of power. Make sure use of a generator is appropriate, safe and realistic for where you live. Incorrect generator use can lead to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning or dangerous electrical hazards.
The installation of devices or wiring designed to allow for a direct connection from a generator to a building’s electrical system, such as manual or automatic transfer switch, breaker interlock kit or similar device, should be installed by a qualified electrical contractor and the installation requires a permit and inspection from the City Building Department.
PG&E Resources on Generators
Generator Safety (CDC)
Generator Safety Flyer (English)
Generator Safety Flyer (Spanish)
Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheets (Many Languages)
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisioning (English)
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (Spanish)
Generator Safety Flyer (English)
Generator Safety Flyer (Spanish)
Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheets (Many Languages)
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisioning (English)
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (Spanish)