December 12, 2003

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Publication Date: Friday, December 12, 2003

Power outage darkens Mountain View

By Grace Rauh

Electricity went out across Mountain View on Tuesday afternoon, darkening homes and offices, and cutting off telephone lines.

Tuesday's high winds are being blamed for the failure of an electrical wire that left 97 Pacific Gas and Electric Company customers in Mountain View without power, according to PG & E spokesperson Jeff Smith. Power was restored throughout the city by 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Additional outages are expected in coming weeks as more wind, rain, and storms hit the Peninsula this winter.

"It is something that we definitely prepare for all year long," Smith said.

PG & E tracks storms and weather systems to prepare and plan for sudden power outages. The electric company doesn't hire extra employees during the winter, but they do communicate with crews from other areas in California and are prepared to mobilize those employees if necessary, Smith said.

Smith recommends that residents prepare for future power outages by keeping flashlights, batteries, battery-operated radios, and warm blankets on hand. Customers can also fill empty two-liter bottles with water and freeze them. If the power goes out, the frozen bottles can be stuck in a refrigerator to keep perishable foods from spoiling, Smith said.

E-mail Grace Rauh at grauh@mv-voice.com

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