PG&E shutdowns could impact polling places; Red Flag warning closes polling place in Alameda County

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — pThe &E notified 15,000 customers on Sunday that they could experience power outages due to dry weather and winds this week.

On Monday, the utility notified even more customers that they could see power outages.

Despite last week’s rain, extremely dry air has once again dried out the vegetation

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So the fire season is not over.

p&E is taking the potential for November fire danger seriously this week as it warned of potential power outages including parts of Contra Costa, Alameda, Napa, Sonoma, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Solano counties starting Tuesday in the evening around 20:00.

“This potential PSPS event is actually the strongest pressure gradient difference — which is really driving the wind and driving the dry conditions of 2021,” said PG Vice President.&E Dave Canny’s North Coast Region.

The power outage could occur as soon as polls close at 8pm on Tuesday and could continue until the peak wind event is forecast for Wednesday.

The two polling places that could be affected are in Middletown in Lake County and in Los Gatos in the South Bay.

“There are only two polling places that are currently forecast and we do not anticipate needing to cut power until polls close. But just in case and out of an abundance of caution, we are providing back-up generations just to make sure the election continues,” Canny said.

p&E is also setting up 23 customer resource centers where customers can plug in and charge their phones during the wind event.

“If we see power outages affecting polling stations, emergency measures can be taken to extend voting by an hour or two to ensure that people who are there have a chance to vote,” the political science professor said at San Jose State University. Melinda Jackson.

The Red Flag warning also affects polling places.

Officials with the Alameda County Registrar of Voters announced Monday night that the Joaquin Miller Center Vote Center on Sanborn Drive will be closed Tuesday because of this warning.

The nearest vote center is Montera Middle School and the nearest ballot box is Woodminster Market.

It is highly unusual for the weather to affect California voters, who can vote early by mail or by opting out of a ballot.

As long as the ballots are postmarked by Tuesday, the vote will count if received within seven days.