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San Diego Power Outage Guide
How to report an outage, survive a PSPS, keep food safe, and get back online.
Last updated
Quick answer
During a San Diego power outage, report it to SDG&E and check the live outage map first — the utility's map shows whether your outage is known, how many customers are affected, and the current estimated restoration time. If the cause is a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), SDG&E de-energizes lines during extreme fire weather, usually with advance notice by phone and text, and restoration only begins after crews physically inspect every line, which can add hours after winds die down. Practically: keep the refrigerator closed (food stays safe roughly four hours in a fridge and 24 to 48 hours in a full freezer), never run a generator or grill indoors or in a garage, unplug sensitive electronics to protect against the surge on restoration, and use flashlights rather than candles. If someone in the home relies on powered medical equipment, enroll in SDG&E's Medical Baseline program before an event so the utility knows. For outages longer than a day, SDG&E and county Community Resource Centers open with charging, water, ice, and Wi-Fi during PSPS events, and food-spoilage reimbursement is sometimes available depending on the cause and duration.
Outage food safety timeline
| Item | Safe without power | Then what |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (unopened) | ~4 hours | Discard perishables above 40°F |
| Full freezer (unopened) | ~48 hours | Refreeze only if still icy |
| Half-full freezer | ~24 hours | Same rule — check for ice crystals |
| Meat, dairy, eggs, leftovers | 4 hours at room temp | When in doubt, throw it out |
| Hard cheese, butter, condiments | Generally fine | Use judgment and smell |
| Breast milk / insulin | Varies | Follow provider guidance; use a cooler |
First 15 minutes
Report it and check the map
SDG&E's outage map shows known outages and estimated restoration. Reporting yours helps crews scope the area.
Keep the fridge and freezer shut
Every door opening costs you hours of cold. Decide what you need, get it in one trip.
Unplug electronics
Restoration surges damage TVs, computers, and appliances. Leave one lamp on so you know when power returns.
Flashlights, not candles
Candle fires during outages are common and entirely avoidable. Keep headlamps and battery lanterns in a known drawer.
Conserve phone battery
Drop to low-power mode immediately and use a car charger or power bank rather than draining to zero.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)
Why they happen
During extreme fire weather — high wind, low humidity, dry fuel — SDG&E preemptively de-energizes lines in high-risk areas to prevent ignitions.
You usually get notice
Advance calls, texts, and emails go out 48, 24, and 1 hour ahead when possible. Make sure your contact info on the account is current.
Restoration takes longer than you expect
Crews must patrol every mile of de-energized line, sometimes by helicopter, before re-energizing. Plan for a full day beyond the wind event.
Community Resource Centers
SDG&E opens locations with charging, Wi-Fi, water, ice, and snacks in affected communities during PSPS events.
Backcountry residents plan differently
In Julian, Alpine, Ramona, and the eastern county, a multi-day PSPS is a realistic annual event — water pumps on wells stop too.
Generators, batteries, and backup power
Never run a generator indoors
Not in a garage, not in a breezeway, not near a window. Carbon monoxide kills people every outage season nationwide.
Portable versus standby
A $500 to $1,200 portable inverter generator covers a fridge and devices. A whole-home standby unit runs $8,000 to $18,000 installed with permitting.
Home batteries and solar
Solar alone does nothing in an outage unless paired with a battery and islanding capability. Confirm this before assuming you're covered.
Transfer switches matter
Backfeeding a panel with an extension cord endangers line crews and is illegal. Use a proper interlock or transfer switch.
Cheap wins
Two large power banks, a car inverter, and a battery fan cover most short urban outages for a fraction of a generator's cost.
Medical needs, claims, and recovery
Medical Baseline enrollment
If someone in the home uses powered medical equipment, enroll with SDG&E in advance for extra notification and a higher baseline allowance.
Plan a backup location
Know which family member, hotel, or facility you can reach if an outage exceeds your device's battery runtime.
Food spoilage reimbursement
Depending on cause and duration, utilities sometimes reimburse spoiled food. Photograph the contents and keep receipts before discarding.
Renters and homeowners insurance
Many policies cover food spoilage over a deductible-free small limit. Check your policy language before assuming you're out of pocket.
After power returns
Restart appliances in stages, reset GFCI outlets, check the fridge temperature before trusting the contents, and reset clocks and irrigation timers.
How to use this page
- • This is a planning reference, not a live emergency feed. During an active incident, follow instructions from CAL FIRE, San Diego County Emergency Services, and your local fire department.
- • Register for AlertSanDiego and add SD Emergency to your phone before you need them — signing up mid-evacuation is too late.
- • Conditions, schedules, and closures change every year. Confirm event times and beach status with official sources the week of.
- • Nothing here is legal, medical, or insurance advice. When in doubt about water quality or air quality, stay out and stay in.
Frequently asked
How do I report a power outage in San Diego?
Report it to SDG&E by phone or through their website or app, then check the live outage map for known outages and estimated restoration times in your area.
What is a Public Safety Power Shutoff?
A preemptive shutoff during extreme fire weather. SDG&E de-energizes high-risk lines, usually with 48-, 24-, and 1-hour notice, and restores power only after physically inspecting the lines.
How long does food last without power?
About four hours in an unopened refrigerator, 24 hours in a half-full freezer, and 48 hours in a full one. Discard perishables that spent more than four hours above 40°F.
Will my solar panels work during an outage?
Not by themselves. Grid-tied solar shuts down for safety unless you have a battery with islanding capability configured for backup.
Can I get reimbursed for spoiled food?
Sometimes, depending on the cause and length of the outage. Photograph everything before discarding, keep receipts, and check both the utility's claim process and your insurance policy.
What if someone in my home uses medical equipment?
Enroll in SDG&E's Medical Baseline program ahead of time for advance notification and a higher usage allowance, and have a backup power source and a place to go.
Where can I charge devices during a long outage?
During PSPS events, SDG&E opens Community Resource Centers with charging, Wi-Fi, water, and ice. Libraries and malls outside the affected area also work for shorter outages.
Keep reading
Emergency Prep Guide
Go-bags, alerts, and earthquake, fire, and outage readiness in one place.
San Diego Weather
Month-by-month conditions, marine layer, and Santa Ana season.
Utilities & SDG&E Guide
Setting up service, reading your bill, and solar rules.
Wildfire Evacuation Routes
Alerts, routes out, and go-bag checklist.
Libraries
Free power, Wi-Fi, and air conditioning when you need it.
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