KERN COUNTY, Calif. — For the latest updates on this story,check out our on-going coverage!
UPDATE (5:52 p.m.): Bakersfield College released a statement saying that the pending PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff will not affect the campus.
Bakersfield College is closely monitoring the PG&E enforced power outages in CA. We have been informed that at this time, BC’s various locations will not be affected. Classes will continue as scheduled for Oct. 8-9, 2019. Students, staff, and BC community, your safety remains our highest priority. In the event that power goes out in your location, do what is necessary to remain safe. As we receive news or updates, we will notify students and our community if class cancellations or location closures occur.
UPDATE (5:50 p.m.): PG&E plans on holding a media briefing on the pending Public Safety Power Shutoff at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the company headquarters in San Francisco. 23ABC will be participating in the briefing and will provide additional information as it becomes known.
UPDATE (3:03 p.m.): PG&E released an updated statement on the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in Kern County, providing a list of additional customers that may be impacted by the shutoffs.
"42,374 Kern County PG&E customers may lose power as a result of this weather event. Portions of the following cities may be impacted including Bakersfield, Arvin, Buttonwillow, Dustin Acres, Edison, Fellows, Lamont, Lebec, Maricopa, McFarland, McKittrick, Mettler Station, Shafter, Taft, Tehachapi, Tupman, Valley Acres, and Wasco."
This is a developing story, We will provide more information as it becomes available.
Kern County has been added to the list of counties that will potentially be impacted by Pacific Gas and Electric Company Public Safety Power Shutoff.
According to the company, as a precautionary measure to reduce wildfire risk during the forecasted severe wind event, it will implement the shutoff in portions of 34 northern, central and coastal counties. The shutoff is expected to impact electric service for nearly 800,000 customers statewide, PG&E said in a statement.
As of now, it is unclear how many customers will be impacted in Kern County.
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PG&E officials said they anticipate that this weather event will last through midday Thursday.
PG&E also said it will open Community Resource Centers in several locations starting Wednesday at 8 a.m. Officials said the centers will remain open during daylight hours only. The facilities will have restrooms, bottled water, electronic-device charging, and a/c seating for up to 100 residents.
Before PG&E restores power to customers they company explained that it must inspect its equipment for damage and make any necessary repairs. That process cannot begin until the severe weather event has subsided.
You can learn more about the shutoff and sign up for PG&E's alerts here.
