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Final Tropical Storm Hilary Update as of Aug. 21, 2023, at 9:30 a.m.
With our crews working overnight into the morning to make repairs and restore power, almost everyone who experienced an outage during the storm has had their power restored.
For the remaining affected customers, rest assured that our crews are continuing to work hard in the field to bring your power back up. We appreciate your continued patience and understanding.
For estimated restoration times, please visit sdge.com/outages.
Thank you to everyone who secured loose outdoor items before the storm’s arrival to prevent them from becoming airborne and causing damage to our power lines. Emergency preparedness and response is a community-wide effort.
While the storm was downgraded in strength over the course of its path, our communities in the mountains and deserts were impacted by torrential rain and high winds from Tropical Storm Hilary. But overall, our infrastructure in the backcountry held up well, thanks to a decade of resiliency investments such as undergrounding power lines and replacing wood poles with steel poles. About 60% of SDG&E’s electrical distribution system is underground. Infrastructure hardening, coupled with strong regional collaboration, has strengthened our ability to withstand increasingly severe climate impacts.
In closing, we also want to express our deep appreciation and gratitude for the collaboration of our public safety partners and local and state agencies, including the City and County of San Diego Emergency Operations Centers, for their steadfast collaboration in the face of the storm.
Our Emergency Operations Center has been de-activated, and we are returning to normal operations.
Thank you!
Tropical Storm Hilary Update as of Aug. 20, 2023, at 11 p.m.
Tropical Storm Hilary has caused widespread power outages throughout our region. With public safety and the well-being of our customers as a top priority, our crews will continue to work hard assessing damage and making repairs through the night. We recognize power outages create difficulties and thank you for your patience and understanding.
For the latest information on outages and estimated restoration times, visit sdge.com/outages, or download the SDG&E app to access the outage map.
Tropical Storm Hilary Update as of Aug. 20, 2023, at 5:15 p.m.
SDG&E has multiple crews out in the field working hard to restore power for affected customers as quickly and as safely as possible. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as there may be delays in restoring power due to weather conditions.
For the latest information on outages and estimated restoration times, visit sdge.com/outages, or download the SDG&E app and access the outage map through the app.
Tropical Storm Hilary Update as of Aug. 20, 2023, at 12:00 p.m.
SDG&E’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated and continues to closely monitor conditions and maintain communications with public safety partners and local and state agencies, including the County Emergency Operations Center, on our regional respose to the storm.
While Hurricane Hilary has been downgraded to a tropical storm, widespread heavy rain and high winds are still expected. These conditions still have the potential to damage energy infrastructure and cause a significant number of prolonged power outages.
SDG&E continues to remain vigilant and maintain a strong preparedness and response posture and urges everyone to do the same, as the brunt of the storm is expected to arrive later this afternoon.
As of 11 a.m. this morning, the storm has had minimal impacts on SDG&E’s energy systems, but we are not letting our guard down and continue to brace for significant weather impacts.
What you can do to be ready:
Customers are urged to take continued steps to prepare in advance for potential prolonged outages. For a full list of preparedness recommendations, please read the post below.
For continuous updates, please follow our social media channels and sdgenews.com.
Hurricane Hilary Update as of Aug. 20, 2023, at 7:45 a.m.
San Diego Gas & Electric’s meteorology team, emergency management experts and operations personnel continue to closely monitor Hurricane Hilary and prepare for potential impacts.
Customers are urged to take continued steps to prepare in advance for potential prolonged outages. For a full list of preparedness recommendations, please read the post below.
For continued updates, please follow our social media channels and sdgenews.com.
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Storm Could Potentially Cause Widespread, Prolonged Outages; Customers Urged to Take Actions to Prepare and Report Any Downed Powerlines to 911
SAN DIEGO, August 18, 2023 – With the safety of its customers, employees and local communities as its top priority, San Diego Gas & Electric has undertaken extensive preparations to respond to Hurricane Hilary, which is expected to arrive this weekend and last through early next week.
In anticipation of unprecedented severe weather conditions impacting the entire region from the coast to foothills to the deserts, SDG&E is increasing the number of field crews and pre-staging equipment to respond to potential, prolonged outages, so power can be restored as quickly and safely as possible to customers.
The company’s meteorology team is continuously monitoring weather conditions to help provide situational awareness to frontline crews working hard to protect and maintain the energy infrastructure that serves local communities. SDG&E’s emergency management team has also remained in close communications with local and state agencies, including the County’s Emergency Operations Center, to plan and coordinate.
The company is sharing the following critical safety tips to help keep everyone safe:
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If you see a downed power line or damaged electrical equipment, always assume it is energized, stay away, and call 9-1-1. If a person has come into contact with a power line, do not touch them. Call 9-1-1 and SDG&E at (800) 411-SDGE (7343) to report it.
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Secure any loose outdoor items like umbrellas, patio furniture and garbage bins to prevent them from flying away and damaging power lines.
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Drive safely on rain-slicked roads, as the number of cars hitting transformers or power poles increases. Be sure to slow down and allow more time for braking.
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Have a plan and kit with essential supplies. Keep a battery-operated radio and flashlights handy in case the power goes out. Check the batteries now to make sure the equipment works, and do not rely on candles for lighting during a power outage. Also make sure your cell phones are fully charged.
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In the event you do experience a power outage, customers are encouraged to visit sdge.com/outages for status updates and to view SDG&E’s outage map.
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If you rely on electrically operated medical equipment for your health and safety, make sure you have made backup power arrangements in case of an outage.
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If you see SDG&E crews working in the field, please be sure to slow down while driving to give them space to restore power as safely as possible.
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If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, leave the area. From a safe location, call 911 or call us at 1-800-611-7343.
For more safety tips, please refer to SDG&E’s storm safety video here.