Power restored for about 95,000 customers after major outage hits San Francisco

A major power outage in San Francisco left around 130,000 residents without electricity, though service was restored for most by Saturday night, causing traffic disruptions and temporary business closures.

Reuters

21 December 2025 at 15:35:22

Power restored for about 95,000 customers after major outage hits San Francisco

People observe an area affected by a blackout that hit about 130,000 residents, according to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, in San Francisco, California, U.S., December 21, 2025.

Carlos Barria/Reuters

Power was restored for about 95,000 customers in San Francisco after a sizable part of the city was hit by an outage on Saturday, according to the city's emergency management department and the city's main utility firm, Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

The blackout hit about 130,000 residents in the California city of around 800,000 people, Pacific Gas and Electric Company <PCG.N> said.

"Crews restored about 95,000 customers by 11 p.m. Saturday and about 35,000 remain without electric service," PG&E said, adding that there were no injuries to workers or members of the public.

The outage caused traffic jams and forced some businesses to close temporarily.

"A large power outage is impacting San Francisco - only call 9-1-1 for life safety emergencies, avoid non-essential travel, treat down traffic signals as four way stops, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed, and turn off major appliances to prevent surges," the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management posted on social media earlier in the day.