A massive power outage plunged San Francisco into darkness, leaving thousands without electricity and causing widespread disruption. Imagine waking up to a city-wide blackout, with traffic lights out, businesses closed, and homes plunged into darkness. This was the reality for many San Franciscans on a recent Monday morning.
Updated on December 22, 2025, at 12:56 PM PST, the city was still reeling from a significant power outage that began over the weekend. Roughly 4,700 homes and businesses remained without power, causing significant inconvenience and financial loss. The outage affected critical services, including public transportation and caused food spoilage. Waymo cars, reliant on traffic signals, were also brought to a standstill. (Source: ktvu.com)
Crews worked diligently to restore power, managing to bring electricity back to approximately 9,000 customers since Saturday night. However, the area around the Civic Center continued to be affected, leading to the closure of several city buildings, including City Hall, the main library, and the Civic Center garage.
Significant Damage and Uncertainties
PG&E's COO, Sumeet Singh, addressed the situation, acknowledging the 'significant damage' to the power system. Initially, the utility had hoped to restore power by 2 p.m. on Monday. However, the extent of the damage meant that some customers would face extended outages. Singh also admitted that the information provided to customers regarding restoration times had been inaccurate, causing further frustration. He assured the public that PG&E was committed to 'doing right' by the affected businesses and customers, especially just days before Christmas.
The Scope of the Outage
At its peak, the outage affected approximately one-third of the city, impacting about 125,000 customers on Saturday. This caused widespread disruption, including transit delays and traffic congestion. BART trains were unable to operate through city stations, and Waymo suspended its services.
Timeline of the Incident
The outage was triggered by a fire at a Mission Street substation. The fire started shortly after 1 p.m. on Saturday. The power was shut down about three hours later at 4 p.m. to ensure the safety of firefighters. The equipment inside the burned substation suffered 'extensive' damage, including a critical circuit breaker, which is essential for protecting circuits during a fire.
Investigation into the Cause
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Singh stated that the root cause was still unknown. PG&E officials mentioned that preventative maintenance had been completed in October, with another inspection on December 5. A third-party engineering firm, Exponent, has been hired to determine the cause, with Singh promising to prevent future incidents.
Impact on Residents and Businesses
The prolonged outage resulted in significant losses for businesses and residents. Restaurants were forced to discard spoiled food, and residents faced the challenges of being without electricity for an extended period. Mayor Daniel Lurie expressed his frustration, stating that PG&E needed to 'do better' and promised discussions with the utility.
David Chein, the owner of Sushi Bistro, shared his experience, highlighting the difficulties of preserving food and the financial impact of the outage. Residents like Leslie Ramirez described the challenges of charging devices and navigating the darkness.
But here's where it gets controversial... The accurate communication of power restoration times is crucial during such events. The repeated inaccuracies in PG&E's alerts undoubtedly added to the stress and frustration of the affected residents and businesses.
And this is the part most people miss... The impact of such outages extends far beyond the immediate inconvenience. The financial losses for businesses, the spoilage of food, and the disruption of daily life all contribute to a broader economic and social impact that is often underestimated.
What do you think? Do you believe PG&E handled the situation effectively? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
