CORRECTION: The original subject line for this email referred to a "special" City Council meeting. It is actually an "emergency" City Council meeting.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Below is the latest information that I have, from PG&E, the National Weather Service and of course, the City of Menlo Park. Please know that City Staff are doing everything they can to aid residents in need. The information at the bottom from the City contains information about warming centers and hotel vouchers for those who are cold.
My thoughts are with all of you.
Warmly,
Jen
Emergency City Council Meeting Tonight (2/23) at 5pm
In less than two hours (TONIGHT [2/23/23] at 5pm, the City Council will hold an emergency meeting with the following agenda item:
The meeting will be both in-person and virtual via Zoom. For information about how to attend, please see page one of the meeting agenda here.
Please see Official City Update at the end of this email for more news from the City of Menlo Park.
PG&E Info
Below is the updated map from the PG&E website showing current outages as of 3:35pm today (2/23/23). I have heard from some that the map isn't always accurate, but it should give you a good sense of the relative situation. As you can see below, there are significant areas of Menlo Park that are still without power.
The following was posted on PG&E's Twitter feed (@PGE4Me) today (2/23) at 1:26pm:
UPDATE: PG&E is working w/ CalTrans & the CHP to safely conduct repair work occurring near hwy 101 • A downed tree along Hwy 101 caused damage to a PG&E power line. • Prior to PG&E making repairs to this section of line, the fallen tree needs to be removed. (1/3)
• PG&E was given clearance today to begin emergency repair work on the damaged line, which crosses Hwy 101 between Marsh Rd & Willow Rd, #MenloPark. • In order to replace the span of wire, it will be necessary to temporarily hold traffic in both directions of hwy 101. (2/3)
• The work to remove the tree & replace the span of wire is scheduled to be complete by 2/23 @ 6PM. • After the span of wire is replaced, there is additional work required before power will be restored. #EastPaloAlto#BelleHaven#FairOaks (3/3)
It is my sincerest hope that once the Hwy 101 work is completed that power will be restored to much of the City that is still without. The "good" news is that the PGE website seems to be updating information more regularly, which may mean that there is a reason to be more optimistic (fingers crossed!).
National Weather Service Information (Brrrr)
Please note that while we are emerging from the power outage and heavy wind event, more significant weather is heading to Menlo Park. You can find out more via the National Weather Service, but below is a summary of what we can expect for the rest of the week (provided via SMC Alert):
The National Weather Service expects additional winds with gusts of 20-30 mph after 4 p.m. This could bring additional downed trees or branches and potential impacts to powerlines.
PG&E reported another 20 additional crews were brought into the San Francisco Peninsula area today to continue power restoration. In addition, they were coordinating with the California Highway Patrol to temporarily shut down traffic on Highway 101 and reconnect lines that were damaged by the recent windstorm.
Residents are encouraged to continue to track outages and expected restoration times on PG&E's Outage Center map online.
City Council to hold 5 p.m. emergency meeting regarding power outages
The City Council has scheduled an emergency meeting today at 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, to discuss and provide direction to staff regarding the recent PG&E power outages resulting from the recent windstorm and the associated health, safety and welfare risks. This will be a hybrid meeting with participants able to join in-person at the City Council Chambers or online via Zoom.
City offers hotel stays to those affected by extended power outages
For residents who remain without power, please call the City Manager's Office at 650-330-6610 before 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, for information on how to request one-night hotel stays. Residents can also visit the City Manager's Office at City Hall before 5:30 p.m. or the Belle Haven Branch Library before 8:00 p.m. to speak with someone in person.
To qualify for this one-night hotel stay program, the resident must live in an area with a current and confirmed PG&E power outage. Those seeking to make a request should email their request to swstotle@menlopark.gov before 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. Please include “Request for power outage hotel stay” in the subject line of your email. You will need to provide names of persons to be relocated, contact information, and proof of residency.
Samaritan House South, a County Core Service Agency, offers emergency safety net assistance
County of San Mateo Core Service Agencies, such as Samaritan House South, provide safety net services to San Mateo County residents in need of food, emergency housing assistance, emergency utility assistance, shelter and other basic needs. Call the Samaritan House South to find out more about the services they offer and how to access services.
City libraries remain open extended hours to support those without power
City of Menlo Park libraries are open to the public 7 days per week and will remain open until 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23. The libraries offer a warm and safe environment, seating, reading materials, laptop computers, places to charge mobile devices, and public access internet and Wi-Fi.
For more information about library hours and services, visit menlopark.gov/library or call 650-330-2520.
Reporting power outage, fallen tree, and missed garbage/recycling collection issues
For power outages, check PGE's Outage Center map online and call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000
For fallen trees, call Public Works at 650-330-6780 weekdays from 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and at 650-330-6300 after hours.
Note: For fallen trees tangled in electrical wires, PG&E must clear the wires before Public Works can remove the trees.
For missed garbage/recycling collections, please contact Recology online or by phone at 650-595-3900.
Please do not call 9-1-1 unless there is an imminent threat to life or other serious emergency.
For general questions consider texting the city at 650-679-7022.
Official Update from the City of Menlo Park
Sent 2/23/23 at 8am
PG&E continues to make progress on restoring power
Yesterday afternoon PG&E reported that San Mateo County was the hardest hit county in the Bay Area from this windstorm with the resulting power outages affecting nearly 1 in 3 people in the county, over 60,000 customers. Systemwide on the PG&E network over 400,000 customers have been affected. More than half of those were restored by mid-afternoon Wednesday. By 10 p.m. Wednesday evening, they estimated about 34,000 customers remained without service.
In San Mateo County, PG&E has brought in outside crews to help expedite the remaining service restorations. In Menlo Park, at least one substation was severely affected with wires coming down across major travel lanes. Those and others require coordination with multiple agencies and restoration sometimes takes time. The City is working closely with PG&E to expedite repairs.
PG&E recommends customers track outages on their Outage Center map website. From that site, you can also enter your address to view an "outage status" page and get notifications. Please report any new outages that may occur by submitting them online to PG&E using your mobile device or calling 1-800-743-5002.
Traffic signals
In the event of a power outage, only a few of the City’s traffic signals (at major intersections) have battery backups. Those signals with battery power backups will operate during an outage as normal until the battery runs out, when they will also go dark. When the power is off at a signaled intersection, it becomes a 4-way stop. Stop signs are not typically placed in intersections during unexpected power outages.
Police officers are responding to emergency dispatch calls and patrol duties and cannot be stationed at intersections to direct traffic.
Remember, if a traffic signal is flashing red or out completely, take caution and treat the intersection as a 4-way stop. Plan ahead and allow extra time to reach your destination.
Downed trees and debris
Between 1 p.m., Tuesday, and 4 p.m., Wednesday, the City of Menlo Park received 27 calls for trees down and 46 calls for broken tree limbs down or other tree issues. This in addition to multiple small branches and leaves, means there is a lot of debris in the right of way and our public streets. Please help us keep this debris out of the storm drain as rain is forecast between now and Friday evening. While it will not be rain like we experienced in January, if storm drains become blocked, it could be enough to affect surface streets and traffic.
For any additional down trees, report them to Public Works at 650-330-6780 from 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (business hours) and to 650-330-6300 overnight (after hours). Note: For fallen trees tangled in electrical wires, PG&E must clear the wires before Public Works can remove the trees.
For downed power lines, or if you suspect another emergency, leave the area right away and call 9-1-1. Then, call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
