San Francisco Power Grid Collapses: 130,000 Left in the Dark

A massive power outage hit San Francisco on Saturday, plunging 130,000 homes and businesses into darkness. The blackout began in the Richmond and Presidio neighborhoods, near Golden Gate Park, before spreading to a large portion of the northern part of the city. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) reported the outage, but has yet to confirm the cause. As of Saturday afternoon, social media and local media reported widespread closures of restaurants and shops, with darkened streetlights and Christmas decorations adding to the eerie atmosphere. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management warned residents to avoid nonessential travel, citing significant transit disruptions and treated down traffic signals as four-way stops. According to fire officials, a fire at a PG&E substation on 8th and Mission streets may have contributed to the blackouts. PG&E initially reported that the power grid had been stabilized by 4 p.m. on Saturday, but it remains unclear when power will be fully restored.