Ready to learn about traveling through Calaveras County during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event? Traveling throughout northern and central California during the fall means preparing for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) planned Public Safety Power Shutoffs. The public (including residents, visitors, information centers, hotels and businesses) receive notice from PG&E at the same time. Since PSPS events are influenced by weather conditions, significant advanced notice is not always possible.
This means that when traveling to or through California PSPS territory, it is a good idea to be prepared for a potential PSPS event even if you have reason to believe your destination is going to be in the clear.
Ready for an ounce of planning? Bookmark and/or print this guide to Traveling Through Calaveras County during Public Safety Power Shutoff for easier access during your trip.
1. Calaveras County Power Outages & PSPS – How Should I Prepare for My Visit?
Traveling to Calaveras County during a power outage or Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) might require an ounce of planning, but it also has it’s advantages–for one thing the stargazing is amazing! For another, many impacted creative business owners come up with one of a kind experiences only available during Pacific Gas & Electric power outage events. And besides all of that, let’s be honest, with gorgeously relaxing lodging and hundreds of miles of outdoor recreation to be had, Calaveras County is the perfect place to unplug and unwind. Read on to learn what to know before you travel through Calaveras County and other California PSPS territory.
Pack a few extra essentials and a little extra knowledge and you’ll be good to go! Details below.
What to Pack – Important Essentials
- Don’t forget these power outage basics:
- Keep cash on hand and a full tank of gas. ATMs and gas stations may not be available during an outage.
- Keep electronic devices charged in your vehicle or car rental with a back-up battery pack just in case you need a little extra charge between road time.
- Carry a flashlight or headlamp, non-perishable food, bottled water, sanitary wipes and a first aid kit.
- Bring a collapsible cooler to use as back-up for perishable items just in case.
- Bookmark easy access to best resources for accurate updates during a PSPS event (details below).
- For detailed general power outage preparedness information:
- Visit Prepare for Powerdown (courtesy of Pacific Gas and Electric).
Don’t forget to bring some goodies just for fun. Think about who you are traveling with. What kinds of activities would you folks like to do in between adventures outdoors and at local businesses? Pack some games, books, instruments, art supplies, lanterns, favorite non-perishable snacks and beverages to keep the fun going during lights out.
Need some ideas? Search family friendly activities during power outages here or romantic activities during power outages here.
- Lodging Considerations
- Check in with lodging staff before you arrive in order to confirm any impact a power outage event may have on your reservation or access.
- Confirm if your lodging has an electronic point of entry to the property, rooms, or parking, to learn how to get in and out during a power outage event.
- Communication Considerations During power outage event.
- Due to the current PG&E power grid structure, some businesses may not have operable phone lines during power outages, but will still have internet access. Be prepared to visit your favorite Calaveras businesses on Facebook for status updates. Many business owners will notify the public there if their business has power.
- Special Needs Considerations During power outages.
- Consult with your doctor to determine the safest way to travel through power outage without jeopardizing your health.
- Learn more at Prepare for Powerdown (courtesy of Pacific Gas and Electric)
- Check Power Outage Locations by Address
- Potential PSPS Look-Up Tool courtesy of Pacific Gas and Electric
- Please note: Remember these locations may have back-up generators to prevent service interruption, so being listed in the look-up tool is not a guarantee of business interruption.
2. Calaveras County PSPS – Where Can I Get Accurate Updates?
While Public Safety Power Shutoffs are solely managed by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), it can be hard to know exactly where to look for accurate local information while traveling. We recommend relying on updates from Pacific Gas and Electric and the Calaveras Office of Emergency Services using the links below for the most accurate information about PSPS power downs, power outages, and power restoration.
Calaveras Office of Emergency Services
Want to get information accurate for Calaveras County specifically? During PSPS events, the Calaveras Office of Emergency Services will publish press releases to their website, Facebook, and Twitter accounts notifying the public of important updates such as Resource Centers that will be set up and managed solely by PG&E during power outages. Resource Centers will provide essential services such as charging stations, water, and more for people in need of assistance.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
While the PSPS system is relatively new, during the first PSPS event of 2019 some of PG&E’s on-line infrastructure experienced technical difficulties. If you are experiencing conflicting information from the PG&E links provided below, we recommend deferring to updates from the Calaveras Office of Emergency for updates on PSPS conditions in Calaveras County.
PG&E has asked customers to:
- Stay informed on the latest Public Safety Power Shutoff updates at www.pge.com/pspsupdates. During Public Safety Power Shutoff incidents, you can check to see if your address will be affected.
- Update their contact information at www.pge.com/mywildfirealerts or by calling 1-866-743-6589 during normal business hours. PG&E will use this information to alert customers when and where possible before turning off electric service for safety.
- Prepare for and practice an emergency plan to keep themselves and their family’s emergency-ready and safe during an outage. Keep in mind family members who are elderly, younger children and pets. Information and tips including a safety plan checklist are available at www.pge.com/psps.
- Emergency supply kits can be a lifesaver during a power outage, earthquake, wildfire, flood or other disaster. See the emergency supply checklist for a Public Safety Power Shutoff at: http://bit.ly/em-supplies-PSPS
PG&E customers can also call the customer service line at 1-800-743-5000 and check PG&E’s social media accounts for more information on how to prepare before and during a power outage:
Facebook @ pacificgasandelectric
Twitter @PGE4Me
3. Calaveras County PSPS – Which Businesses and Activities Will Be Open?
Outdoor recreation such as stargazing, hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, camping and more are open year round throughout Calaveras County, rain, shine, or power.
As for the family owned businesses that make life in Calaveras County such a unique experience? We’ve got great news! Calaveras County’s PG&E power grid means that all towns and businesses are NOT impacted on the same timelines (or even at all) during all power outages or PSPS events.
However, even when the whole of Calaveras County is impacted by a power outage, you can count on dozens of local businesses to not only provide regular service (as back-up generators allow), but also to find fun and creative ways to remain open with special pop-up events, food and that extra special dollop of Calaveras magic. Now that sounds like fun to us!
While phone lines may be interrupted for small businesses who are otherwise unaffected by power outages, it is important to know how to find who is open for business and offering one of a kind activities during PSPS events. Ready to find out who is open? Try these options below:
- First, try visiting them on Facebook
- Small businesses throughout Calaveras County will often keep the public updated during PSPS events on fun activities and resources available and active during power outages via their business Facebook page. Some businesses are even more active on Instagram.
- No recent Facebook updates? Give them a call.
- Please Note: Phone lines may be down, so an unanswered call may not indicate a business is closed.
- Check their address on the PG&E address look-up tool.
- No recent Facebook posts or answer over the phone? Check their status on the Potential PSPS Look-Up Tool courtesy of Pacific Gas and Electric
- Please note: Remember these locations may have back-up generators to prevent service interruption, so being listed in the look-up tool is not a guarantee of business interruption.
- Go for a Drive
- If you have plenty of gas, feel free to go for a drive. On your way to investigate in person, you may be pleasantly surprised by the creative pop-up candle-lit events and experiences that you find along the way.
Looking to see what’s available year round in nearby towns? Explore alphabetically by name here (with approximate drive times from our office):
Angels Camp (0 minutes) I Arnold (25 minutes) I Bear Valley (50 minutes) I Copperopolis (15 minutes) I Mokelumne Hill (25 minutes) I Murphys (10 minutes) I San Andreas (15 minutes) I Vallecito area (5 minutes) I Valley Springs tri-lake area (20 minutes) [/su_spoiler]
4. Calaveras County PSPS – What Are Some Fun Things To Do in Calaveras County During a Power Outage?
Looking for Calaveras specific fun things to do during a power outage? You’ve come to the right place. From getting spooky by visiting haunted destinations, to getting cozy or even getting adventurous, here are some of our favorites rounded up below.
Fun Things To Do in Calaveras County During a PSPS Event with a Full Tank of Gas
- Enjoy epic star gazing:
- With less light pollution our legendary stargazing conditions get better than ever during power outages.
- Enjoy haunted destinations and pioneer cemeteries
- Make the most of the Halloween season by using the PSPS as a chance to get out and experience some of Calaveras’ downtown ghosts and pioneer cemeteries. Stay safe, while having fun and be respectful, you wouldn’t want a see through local following you home, now would you ?
- Explore creative things local businesses are doing during a power outage or PSPS event:
- The last PSPS event included businesses bringing in food trucks, doing candle light tastings, telling ghost stories and more.
- Enjoy the great outdoors.
- From fishing, to hiking, mountain biking, golfing, birding, climbing, wildlife viewing, lake recreation, fall color stalking and more, there is an infinite amount of fun to be had in Calaveras’ beautifully temperate fall weather.
- Enjoy cabin life:
- Get cozy indoors and party like it’s 1899–electricity free that is. Enjoy delicious drinks, relaxing games, a good book, battery operated tunes, and/or strum your acoustic instruments while building memories that will last a lifetime in beautiful Calaveras County.
- Expand Your Calaveras County Horizons – Find Nearby Things to Do:
- Ready to break the power outage spell? Check out what’s going on in nearby Calaveras towns that still have their lights on.
- Explore alphabetically by name here (with approximate drive times from our office): Angels Camp (0 minutes) I Arnold (25 minutes) I Bear Valley (50 minutes) I Copperopolis (15 minutes) I Mokelumne Hill (25 minutes) I Murphys (10 minutes) I San Andreas (15 minutes) I Vallecito area (5 minutes) I Valley Springs tri-lake area (20 minutes).
Need assistance finding anything? Our office will be open during regular business hours even in case of a power outage or PSPS event. Visit us in person at 753 South Main Street in Angels Camp, CA, or if reaching out outside of a PSPS event you can email us at info@gocalaveras.com or call 1-209-736-0049.
Happy travels!