Widespread Power Outages Disrupt San Francisco

Over 40,000 customers affected by multiple blackouts across the city

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:33pm by

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and gold, depicting a massive storm system looming over the silhouetted skyline of San Francisco, the city's urban infrastructure dwarfed by the overwhelming scale of the natural forces at play.A dramatic storm system highlights the vulnerability of San Francisco's power grid, raising concerns about the city's resilience to weather-related disruptions.San Francisco Today

A series of unexpected power outages left over 40,000 residents and businesses in San Francisco without electricity on April 11, 2026. The first outage affected over 14,600 customers in the Inner Sunset and Forest Hill areas, while a second outage impacted the Presidio, Richmond, and parts of Market Street, leaving more than 24,800 customers in the dark.

Why it matters

The widespread and prolonged nature of these outages has sparked discussions about the resilience of San Francisco's power infrastructure and the potential need for enhanced preparedness. While some experts argue the outages could indicate underlying grid issues, others suggest the cause may be unrelated, raising questions about the city's ability to withstand and respond to such disruptions.

The details

The first outage was reported around 9:40 a.m., affecting a substantial area from the Inner Sunset to Forest Hill. A second outage occurred around 10:10 a.m., further exacerbating the situation by impacting the Presidio, Richmond, and parts of Market Street. As of 2 p.m., PG&E estimated power restoration would take place between 3:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m., but the cause of the outages remained unknown. Several smaller outages were also reported in other parts of west San Francisco, with PG&E estimating restoration between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

  • The first outage was reported around 9:40 a.m.
  • A second outage occurred around 10:10 a.m.
  • As of 2 p.m., PG&E estimated power restoration would take place between 3:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
  • Several smaller outages were reported in other parts of west San Francisco, with PG&E estimating restoration between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The players

PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the utility provider responsible for the power grid in San Francisco.

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

The agency that had to divert Muni trains due to the power outage.

San Francisco Department of Emergency Management

The department that issued a warning for drivers to treat all dark traffic signals as four-way stops.

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The takeaway

These widespread power outages in San Francisco highlight the need for the city to invest in more resilient and reliable power infrastructure to withstand unexpected disruptions and ensure the continuity of essential services and daily life for residents and businesses.