UPDATE ( Aug. 14 10:13 p.m.) According to PG&E: "We've restored nearly 200K w/ the rest expected by 11 PM. Thank you for your patience. Earlier tonight PG&E initiated rotating outages at the request of CA's Grid Operator impacting approx. 220K customer accounts. There are no more outages of this type planned for this eve."

Pacific Gas and Electric Company has been directed by the California Independent System Operator to turn off power to approximately 200,000 to 250,000 customers at a time in rotating power outages given the strain on the power grid during the statewide heatwave.

Other power utilities in the state are being directed to take similar actions.

The power will be turned off in rotating blocks until about 11 p.m.

Power could remain out for an hour each block.

Californians are advised to reduce power usage until 11 p.m.

PG&E will be unable to notify customers in advance of the power shutoffs, which could occur anywhere within PG&E’s service area.

“The safety of our customers and the communities that we serve is PG&E’s most important responsibility. We urge our customers to take immediate steps to reduce their power usage. We will work to restore power safely and as quickly as we are able,” said Michael Lewis, interim president of PG&E.