Storm knocks out power to 1,200 PG&E customers in SLO County

Power is expected to be restored by 12:45 a.m. on Wednesday.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A power outage cut off electricity to 1,200 San Luis Obispo County PG&E customers amid a strong winter storm on Tuesday afternoon. The outage comes during a flood warning and wind advisory that the National Weather Service warned could cause outages throughout the afternoon and evening.

Why it matters

Power outages can disrupt daily life and pose risks to vulnerable populations, so it's important for residents to be informed about the situation and when power is expected to be restored.

The details

According to PG&E's outage report map, customers in the area between San Simeon and Cambria lost power just after 5 p.m., including parts of Hearst San Simeon State Park. Power lines and trees were downed across SLO County on Tuesday afternoon, and heavy rain and possible thunderstorms were also expected overnight Tuesday to Wednesday.

  • The outage occurred just after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Power is expected to be restored by 12:45 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the utility company that provides electricity and natural gas to customers in Northern and Central California.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This power outage highlights the importance of infrastructure resilience and emergency preparedness in the face of severe weather events, which are expected to become more frequent and intense due to climate change.