Feb. 24 - 2 p.m. Power outage update
Published on February 24, 2023
Majority of power restored; some work remains
We know how difficult this past week has been for our community members. City staff have been working through the power outages to maintain safe travel throughout the city, clear downed trees, open city facilities to residents without power, and provide accommodation to those in need. Late yesterday PG&E coordinated with the California Highway Patrol and Caltrans to temporarily shut down U.S. Highway 101 and make repairs that reconnected lines across the freeway between Suburban Park and the substation near Kelly Park. This and other work by PG&E crews to clear some downed wires that were tangled in fallen trees successfully restored power to most of Menlo Park by late last night and this morning.
However, we are very aware and closely monitoring several small pockets in neighborhoods that remain without power. These residents have now been without electricity for several days and we know how disruptive and frustrating this has been. We continue to press PG&E for more communication and accuracy about restoration times on on behalf of our residents and want to make sure that a situation like this does not occur again.
You can track the latest progress on pending outages using PG&E’s Outage Center map online.
City of Menlo Park libraries are open to the public 7 days per week
For those without power or needing a place to recharge, Menlo Park libraries are open and accessible every day of the week. There is heat, seating, reading materials, laptop computers, places to charge mobile devices, and public access internet and Wi-Fi.
For more information about regular library hours and services, visit menlopark.gov/library or call 650-330-2520.
City crews remain on call through the weekend
City crews will be on standby through the weekend to respond to any additional fallen trees or other needs that may come up. The National Weather Service is not forecasting any extreme weather other than unusually cool temperatures, but there will be some wind and rain showers through at least the middle of next week. Calls for service over the weekend will be handled through the afterhours phone line at 650-330-6300.
Reporting power outage, fallen tree, and missed garbage/recycling collection issues
- For power outages, check PGE's Outage Center map online and call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
- For fallen trees, call Public Works at 650-330-6300 after hours/weekends and at 650-330-6780 weekdays from 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Note: For fallen trees tangled in electrical wires, PG&E must clear the wires before Public Works can remove the trees.
- For missed garbage/recycling collections, please contact Recology online or by phone at 650-595-3900.
Please do not call 9-1-1 unless there is an imminent threat to life or other serious emergency.
For general questions consider texting the city at 650-679-7022.
One-night hotel reimbursement claims can be submitted online before March 10
The City will reimburse residents for up to $400 for a qualifying one-night hotel stay between Thursday, Feb. 23, and Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. Eligible residents must live in an area with a current and confirmed PG&E power outage. Those seeking to make a reimbursement request will be able to use the online reimbursement request form to submit their hotel bills, proof of residency, names of people who stayed in the hotel, etc. as outlined in the hotel reimbursement policy after they book their own rooms. Reimbursement claims must be submitted by 5 p.m., Friday, March 10, 2023.
Reimbursement request form