California power outages start with your electric utility

Start with the outage page or emergency number for the utility named on the bill. Report the address and check the estimated time for power to return. PG&E, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric serve many homes. Some cities and districts run public power systems instead.

Stay clear of a downed wire or sparking equipment. A gas smell, fire, or urgent medical danger is also an emergency. Call 911 and tell the utility. If someone uses powered medical equipment, follow that person’s emergency plan. Get emergency help if the backup cannot keep the person safe. An outage map does not replace that call.

Check city or county alerts when the outage involves other danger. This may include heat, fire weather, flooding, evacuation, or a public-safety power shutoff. The utility reports on its own system. Local officials give evacuation, shelter, road, and neighborhood instructions.

For a longer service or billing dispute, contact the utility first. The CPUC complaint process covers utilities it regulates. It does not cover a city or other public utility. Public power customers should use their utility’s complaint path and local governing body.