San Francisco Power Outage on December 21, 2025

 

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Overview of the December 21, 2025 Blackout

On Saturday night moving into early Sunday, San Francisco experienced a widespread power failure that left large sections of the city without electricity. According to confirmed reports from Reuters and ABC7 News, the outage affected nearly 30% of PG&E customers in the city at its peak.

This was not a routine maintenance blackout. It was sudden, disruptive, and wide-ranging.

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Timeline of Events

When the Power Went Out

The outage began late on December 20, 2025, escalating rapidly overnight. Residents reported lights flickering before entire blocks went dark.

Peak Impact Across the City

By early morning on December 21, approximately 130,000 customers were without power, according to official utility data.

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Areas Affected by the Outage

Residential Neighborhoods

Verified reporting confirmed outages in:

• Richmond District

• Sunset District

• Presidio area

• Golden Gate Park vicinity

These neighborhoods experienced prolonged outages lasting several hours.

Commercial and Downtown Areas

Impact on Small Businesses

Restaurants, grocery stores, and retail shops closed temporarily due to:

• Non-functional payment systems

• Spoiled refrigerated goods

• Safety concerns

For many businesses, the outage occurred during a high-traffic weekend.

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Confirmed Cause of the Outage

PG&E Substation Fire

The blackout was traced to a fire at a PG&E electrical substation near 8th Street and Mission Street, confirmed by Pacific Gas and Electric Company officials.

The fire damaged critical equipment, forcing emergency shutdowns to prevent further damage.

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Utility Company Response

PG&E Emergency Repairs

PG&E deployed emergency crews immediately, prioritizing:

• Hospitals

• Emergency services

• Traffic control systems

Crews worked continuously through the night.

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Transportation and Traffic Disruptions

Traffic Signals and Road Safety

Dozens of intersections lost traffic signals. City officials instructed drivers to treat intersections as four-way stops.

Public Transit and Ride-Hailing

• Bus and rail schedules were delayed

• Autonomous vehicle services were temporarily suspended

• Ride-hail demand surged due to transit disruptions

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Economic and Social Impact

The outage caused:

• Lost revenue for businesses

• Delayed holiday shopping

• Safety concerns for elderly residents

Even short outages can ripple across a dense urban economy like San Francisco’s.

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Power Restoration Progress

What Was Restored First

By Sunday morning:

• Power was restored to approximately 110,000 customers

• Around 21,000 customers remained without service temporarily

Hospitals and emergency facilities were restored first.

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How Residents Responded

Many residents:

• Used battery-powered lighting

• Relied on mobile data for updates

• Checked PG&E outage maps frequently

Community cooperation helped reduce panic.

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What This Outage Reveals About Infrastructure

This incident highlighted:

• Aging electrical infrastructure

• Vulnerability to single-point failures

• The importance of grid modernization

Experts have repeatedly warned of such risks.

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How to Prepare for Future Power Outages

Preparation steps include:

• Keeping flashlights and power banks charged

• Storing emergency food and water

• Knowing local emergency communication channels

Prepared households recover faster.

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Conclusion

The San Francisco power outage on December 21, 2025 was a stark reminder of how dependent modern cities are on reliable electricity. While restoration was relatively fast, the disruption exposed infrastructure weaknesses that demand long-term solutions. Preparation, transparency, and modernization remain key to preventing similar events in the future.

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FAQs

What caused the San Francisco power outage on December 21, 2025?

• A confirmed PG&E substation fire

• Equipment damage

• Emergency shutdowns

How many customers were affected?

• Peak impact: ~130,000 customers

• Majority restored within hours

• Limited areas affected longer

Which neighborhoods lost power?

• Richmond District

• Sunset District

• Presidio and nearby areas

How long did restoration take?

• Most restored by Sunday morning

• Some areas took additional hours

• Priority given to essential services

Can this happen again?

• Yes, without infrastructure upgrades

• Grid modernization reduces risk

• Prepared residents face fewer disruptions