BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - PG&E will proactively turn off power to nearly 800,000 customers across Northern and Central California. PG&E said they expect to start turning off power in some areas starting Wednesday, just after midnight. Power will be turned off to communities in stages, PG&E said, this depends on local timing of the severe wind conditions, beginning with counties in the northern part of the state. 

Check PG&E's wildfire weather website
The utility launched a website with an interactive map to warn customers about power outages.

The website also has a map that predicts the potential for the shutoffs and ranks them four categories: Not Expected, Elevated, Public Safety Power Shutoff Watch, and Public Safety Power Shutoff Warning. Since PG&E's website is down, arcgis.com created one with PG&E data below.

NOTICE: 

NOTICE: PG&E is currently experiencing a delay in accessing web pages related to Public Safety Power Shut-off. https://t.co/9oqHKMhy0G

— Action News Now (@ActionNewsNow) October 8, 2019

Sign up for public safety power shutoff alerts

PG&E plans to post alerts on its website, on social media, and send out emails, texts, and automated calls. 

To sign up for alerts, CLICK HERE

You don't have to be an account holder to sign up for them. PG&E says they also have the option to sign up by your zip code, to enroll call 1-877-9000-PGE. Alerts will be delivered via automated call. To sign up for text alerts, text "ENROLL" to 97633. 

School Closures

Action News Now will continue to update with school closures, CLICK HERE for the most current ones.

Community Centers

PG&E will open 24 community center restrooms and electronic-device charging stations for people in counties affected by a power shutdown aimed at reducing wildfire risks, CLICK HERE

Be prepared in case of a shutoff 

PG&E issued the following tips to customers about how to prepare for a power shutoff:

• Review your family's emergency plan. Don't forget friends and neighbors who may also need help.
• Be sure you have enough food, ice, and water, and not to mention cash on hand.
• Stock up on flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies.
• Talk with your doctor and plan for, medications that need refrigeration, mobility needs, and medical devices that require power.
• Know how to manually open your garage door. if you have a generator, make sure it works and you know how to use it.
• Update your contact information at pge.com/mywildfirealerts or by calling 1-866-743-6589.

CHECK THIS LIST TO SEE IF YOU WILL BE IMPACTED:

Congressman LaMalfa's response to the shutoffs:

His reaction read in part:

“It seems as if California, which fancies itself as one of the top world economies, is becoming a third world country. Expecting the power to stay on when the wind blows isn’t that giant a leap for mankind, yet here we are 50 years after the first moon landing having great inconvenience and personal or economic losses for many of our residents.”