From Coast to Summit Road: Widespread Power Outages in Santa Cruz Mountains
by Andrew Naylor
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 10:38 PM.
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, CA - Despite favorable weather, a series of significant power outages struck various regions of the Santa Cruz Mountains today, causing disruption and inconvenience to over 8,000 PG&E customers. The outage encompassed a broad spectrum of areas, affecting communities such as Felton, Boulder Creek, Laurel, Glenwood, Lompico, Scotts Valley, Bonny Doon, Davenport, and Ben Lomond. The customers affected spanned from the coast to Summit Road and from Big Basin to Soquel San Jose Road, encompassing a vast expanse of the region.
The power interruptions commenced after 9:00 am, catching residents and businesses off guard. As the day progressed, the efforts of PG&E teams facilitated the restoration of power to most areas by 3:00 pm, alleviating the plight of many affected customers. However, despite these efforts, a lingering outage continues to persist for 91 customers in the vicinity of Highway 17 and Summit Road. Restoration for this group is anticipated to occur around 2:00 am on November 8th.
The cause of these widespread outages remains unknown as PG&E has yet to disclose the underlying reason behind the disruption. Such incidents are common in the affected mountain communities, leaving residents uneasy as Winter approaches.
The impact of power outages on communities is not merely about the absence of electricity but encompasses broader implications. Beyond the inconvenience, there are concerns about the safety and well-being of residents, especially those reliant on electricity for medical devices, heating, and other essential needs. Moreover, the outage can potentially disrupt businesses, leading to financial losses and operational hurdles.
In such instances, communication and transparency from utility providers become imperative. Timely updates and information regarding the cause and expected duration of outages alleviate concerns and allow affected individuals to plan accordingly. Additionally, consistent efforts to reinforce the resilience of the power infrastructure and prevent similar incidents in the future are crucial to maintaining public trust and ensuring community stability.
While PG&E's restoration crews demonstrated swift action in restoring power to most affected areas, the incident emphasizes the necessity for a proactive approach in preventing and addressing such disruptions.
As the remaining affected customers await the restoration of power, the incident stands as a reminder of the fragility of PG&E, our power infrastructure in the mountains, and the importance of proactive state and local goverments to hold our utility companies to account. The need for transparency, preparedness, and swift action is underscored in ensuring the reliability and stability of our essential utilities.