Widespread Power Outages Disrupt San Francisco

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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.