Power Outage Leaves Thousands Without Power in Oakland, Including Airport

The city of Oakland had a massive power outage on Sunday that impacted about 50,000 people.

The power outage reportedly was caused by a fire at a PG&E substation.

“Oakland Fire is currently responding to a Fire at the PG&E substation near 50th Avenue and Coliseum Way. PG&E reports approximately 50K customers in the City of Oakland may be impacted by this outage,” the Oakland Fire Department tweeted.

Oakland Fire is currently responding to a Fire at the PG&E substation near 50th Avenue and Coliseum Way. PG&E reports approximately 50K customers in the City of Oakland may be impacted by this outage. Please check the PG&E outage map at https://t.co/l6SyUTfHA6 for current status. pic.twitter.com/4BfDKTLPTx

— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) February 19, 2023

The outage brought Oakland International Airport to a “standstill.”

“Power outage apparently, all of Oakland Airport at a standstill. No one getting thru security for going on almost an hour now. TSA Agents saying this has never happened before. Saying no flights are gonna leave while it’s like this. No timetable for a fix,” Twitter user @matt_ashlock said.

Power outage apparently, all of Oakland Airport at a standstill. No one getting thru security for going on almost an hour now.

TSA Agents saying this has never happened before. Saying no flights are gonna leave while it’s like this.

No timetable for a fix. pic.twitter.com/d4Fq6Nt5DW

— matt ashlock (@matt_ashlock) February 19, 2023

There were reports of people stuck in elevators and malfunctioning traffic lights due to the outage.

🚨#BREAKING: The city of Oakland is experiencing a massive power outage

📌#Oakland | #California ⁰⁰Currently over more than 54+ thousand customers are currently without power in the city of Oakland California as they are experiencing a massive power outraged with multiple… pic.twitter.com/JHet0qG4KP

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) February 19, 2023

Oakland Fire Department said the fire was out as of 2:30 p.m. local time.

The fire at the substation located at 50th x Coliseum is now out, as of 230PM. Please check the PG&E outage map at https://t.co/Cd7qhZjkMo for current status updates and timelines for restoration. There is no Hazmat concern or evacuations necessary. No further updates. pic.twitter.com/SPm6kTTTUt

— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) February 19, 2023

KTVU reported:

Firefighters in Oakland are working to contain a fire at a PG&E substation that left 50,000 people without power on Sunday.

OFD said the fire started near 50th Ave. and Coliseum Way in Oakland.

The massive power outage brought Oakland’s international airport to a standstill on Sunday afternoon.

Travelers said no one was being let through security because of the outage.

It is not yet clear if arriving or departing flights were affected.

The outage forced BART to suspend service to the airport.

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BART officials said that AC transit is providing bus service for travelers instead.

Power was restored at the airport around 2:30 p.m.

KRON4 shared a statement from PG&E and an additional update for Oakland residents:

PG&E shared a statement with KRON4 on the incident.

“The safety of our customers and employees is our most important responsibility. We are aware of the large outage in the Oakland area impacting approximately 50,000 customers. We are currently investigating the details, and will provide more information on the timing of restoration once we have more information.”

At 4:45 p.m., Assemblymember Mia Bonta tweeted that power is expected to be restored to the remaining customers by 8 p.m. Bonta also warned drivers to be cautious, as streetlights across the area are also impacted by the outage.