So here is what's happening on the ground in California for the fire weather story. It's genuinely freaking everybody out. If we get ZERO fires out of this (small miracle) the power shut off will be remembered for a long time. #MorningBlend10 1/
Despite the pretty large media effort by PG&E to warn people of the power outages...many people we are talking to at closed gas stations had no idea. Turns out not everyone...especially in rural areas look at the internet all day. 2/
Some of these folks were BLINDSIDED. We have to take them at their word because they are far away from the windiest areas affecting lines or COULD affect lines. 3/
Many work far away, and fuel up often. If you are at a gas station...let's face it you NEED gas and maybe can't drive 15-20 miles away to get it...or wait in long lines to get gas. 4/
They also have an unexpected day off work...maybe cancelled school..kid/kids to pick up and figure out what to do for DAYS with no power. Of course the alternative is having power on...and a well known source for fires active. 5/
This is a tough spot to be in for 100,000s of customers which likely includes million+total in actual population if you extrapolate for households etc. 6/
They are not going to reimburse people for spoiled food since it was planned. If an outage was caused by an extreme event and weather they might...case by case basis. 7/
Also remember a lot of these people just got hit with a non-renewal for home insurance and if they found someone...it costs drastically more. 8/
Also remember that many of these people are actively trying to move...sell their home...can't find insurance for new buyer or are dropping their prices all the time. This is the APEX of stress in some of the most beautiful places you ever could live. 9/
We need to add more places... the Bay area is about to find out today if one of the major tunnels...MAJOR...will have to shut down for power outages at noon. Traffic there is a true daily horror show...and if you find this out...at work you are going to freak 10/
We haven't even talked about Southern California...they too will experience massive outage issues potentially...STRONGER winds and LOWER humidity. 11/
WE HAVEN'T EVEN HAD A FIRE YET! If that happens...which the odds are fairly high...it immediately turns into a dangerous life-threatening event with little info, and ways to get info (no power...no gas) 12/
Finally...peak wind will be middle of the night tonight/early tomorrow. It's not just about power...there are DOZENS of ways fires start and any fluke accident could set up many communities for a dangerous moment 13/
If we can get through this...the power might not come back on for a few DAYS in some areas after the fact (no strong winds) while they inspect lines. fire or not this story will continue for many days more. END
