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Murphys Today
By the People, for the People
Power Outages Disrupt Mother Lode Region
Thousands without electricity as PG&E works to restore service by Sunday
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
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Widespread power outages have left around 10,000 customers in Calaveras County and 5,000 in Tuolumne County without electricity, with PG&E estimating full restoration may not occur until Sunday. Warming shelters have been opened in both counties, and officials are urging non-residents to avoid travel, especially in the areas above Murphys, due to hazardous road conditions from ice and vehicle spinouts.
Why it matters
Power outages can have significant impacts on communities, disrupting daily life, causing safety concerns, and creating hardship for residents. The Mother Lode region is particularly vulnerable due to its rural nature and the challenges PG&E faces in accessing difficult-to-reach areas to restore service.
The details
PG&E has reported that it has sufficient resources to address the outages, but accessing remote areas has been problematic. Warming shelters have been opened in both Calaveras and Tuolumne counties to provide refuge for those without power. The Calaveras County Public Works Department is urging non-residents to avoid travel to the county, especially above Murphys, due to hazardous road conditions from ice and vehicle spinouts that the CHP is assisting with.
- As of 6:15 am on Friday, there are several vehicle spinouts that the CHP is assisting with on local highways.
- PG&E has notified some customers that it could be as late as Sunday when there is full restoration of power.
The players
PG&E
The utility company responsible for providing electricity to the Mother Lode region, which is working to restore power to thousands of customers affected by the outages.
Calaveras County Public Works Department
The department urging non-residents to avoid travel to the county, especially above Murphys, due to hazardous road conditions.
California Highway Patrol (CHP)
The law enforcement agency assisting with several vehicle spinouts on local highways due to the icy conditions.
What’s next
PG&E has notified some customers that it could be as late as Sunday when there is full restoration of power.
The takeaway
The power outages in the Mother Lode region highlight the ongoing challenges utilities face in maintaining reliable electricity service, especially in remote and difficult-to-access areas. The situation underscores the importance of investing in infrastructure and emergency preparedness to ensure communities can withstand disruptions and protect vulnerable residents.
