PG&E power outage shuts down most of western Nevada County
Drivers faced some confusion on the Brunswick overpass with signals out and roadsigns put in place during Wednesday morning’s public safety power shutdown.
Elias Funez/efunez@theunion.com
Robinson Enterprises tanker driver Bob Noller looks on while a line forms for pumps at the Robinson fleet fueling station on Lower Grass Valley Road in Nevada City where the only gas station in the area was working Wednesday morning.
Elias Funez/efunez@theunion.com
Caltrans workers help to keep the signal lights on at the intersection of Highway 49 and La Barr Meadows Road.
Elias Funez/efunez@theunion.com
The pumps at the Gold Flat Chevron were blocked off with emergency tape as were many of the western Nevada County Gas Stations during Wednesday morning’s PG&E PSPS.
Elias Funez/efunez@theunion.com
Folks fill up their extra gas cans and tanks Wednesday morning at Robinson Gas Station off of Lower Grass Valley Road.
Elias Funez/efunez@theunion.com
Lines back up at the Robinson Gas Station off of Lower Grass Valley Road in Nevada City, one of the only area gas stations to continue pumping through the power shutdown.
Elias Funez/efunez@theunion.com
Customers shop at B&C Ace Hardware in the Glenbrook Basin where a generator kept the lights on. Their gas powered generators for sale had been depleted though.
Elias Funez/efunez@theunion.com
Signal lights at the intersection of Main and South Auburn Streets were dark as motorists navigate the intersection in downtown Grass Valley.
Elias Funez/efunez@theunion.com
The gas powered street lamps kept some light on in downtown Nevada City.
Elias Funez/efunez@theunion.com
Gas customers fill up their extra gas cans after filling up their vehicles Wednesday morning at the Robinson Gas Station off of Lower Grass Valley Road in Nevada City.
Elias Funez/efunez@theunion.com
Early risers at the Mine Shaft in Nevada City stand out front of the drinking establishment on Broad Street during the public safety power shutdown Wednesday morning.
Elias Funez/efunez@theunion.com
The Gold Flat gas station, as well as many other stations in the area, were closed due to the public safety power shutdown.
Elias Funez/efunez@theunion.com
Nevada County residents are feeling the brunt of Wednesday’s PG&E public safety power shutdown after 43,217 customers had their electricity shut down in the early hours of the morning.
Schools, stores, and gas stations are without power and closed amidst the shut down.
Robinson Enterprises’ fleet fueling station off Lower Grass Valley Road in Nevada City was one of the only stations left pumping gas, thanks to an on-site power generator. By Wednesday morning a long line had formed in both directions stretching onto the freeway prompting Robinson’s employees to call law enforcement to assist with traffic control.
“I hope it doesn’t last too long,” Robinson tanker driver Bob Noller said.
Noller is responsible for keeping clients’ generators, such as Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, filled and running. Noller says that the power shut down will affect smaller counties if it lasts longer than a couple of days.
B&C Ace Hardware in Grass Valley’s Glenbrook Basin is one of a few area businesses to remain open with the help of a gas-powered generator.
“We have to be here for the community,” B&C manager Jim Janousek said. “No matter how much inventory we stock, it gets depleted.”
While the store’s generators for sale had all been sold, many folks could be seen shopping for batteries and other light sources.
Others pre-ordered gas generators, a new shipment of which should arrive by the end of the week.
Several area businesses are reported to be open, many accepting cash-only transactions, by area residents sharing information at The Union’s Facebook page. Some of those include Hills Flat Lumber, Beam Easy Living Center, Dokimos Pharmacy, Chapa De’s pharmacy, Long’s Bottle Shop, True Value Penn Valley, SaveMart, Safeway and Raley’s.
Check back for more on this developing story.
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