Breaking News: Major Power Outage Affects Millions in California

Power Restored to Homes and Businesses

Following a major power outage that left millions of Californians in the dark on Wednesday, power has been restored to the majority of homes and businesses. The outage, which was caused by a downed power line, affected more than 3 million people in the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding regions.

Cause of the Outage

According to Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), the outage occurred when a high-voltage transmission line was knocked down by a falling tree in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The downed line caused a series of power outages that cascaded throughout the region.

Restoration Efforts

PG&E crews worked throughout the night and into Thursday morning to repair the damaged line and restore power to affected areas. By Thursday afternoon, more than 95% of homes and businesses had their power restored.

However, some areas are still without power, and PG&E estimates that it may take several more hours to fully restore service to all customers.

Impact on the Community

The power outage caused widespread disruptions in the Bay Area. Schools and businesses were closed, traffic lights were out, and hospitals were operating on emergency generators.

The outage also affected the region's water supply, as some water treatment plants lost power. Authorities urged residents to conserve water and boil tap water before drinking it.

Conclusion

The major power outage in California was a major inconvenience for millions of people, but it is a reminder of the importance of a reliable power grid. PG&E is continuing to work to restore power to the remaining affected areas as quickly as possible.