URGENT UPDATE: As San Francisco residents grapple with the aftermath of a massive power outage, many facing severe losses are voicing their frustration over PG&E’s inadequate compensation. Nearly a week after the blackout, which affected the Sunset and Richmond Districts, community leaders are calling for immediate action.
Residents are still struggling to recover, particularly vulnerable seniors, immigrants, and small business owners who were preparing for vital winter holidays. By Friday morning, the Sunset District appeared bustling again, but the emotional toll remains high.
David Lee, Executive Director of the Chinese American Voters Education Committee, emphasized the plight of isolated seniors: “When the power went out, they were really struggling… many don’t speak English and didn’t know where to turn.”
Meanwhile, Myron Lee shared his family’s harrowing experience, stating they endured nearly 50 hours without power. His father, who relies on medical equipment, faced sleepless nights, underscoring the urgency of the situation. “Really stressful for everyone involved,” he remarked.
The situation was further complicated by security gates, making neighborly check-ins nearly impossible. The lack of power also hampered communication, leaving many, especially monolingual Chinese speakers, uninformed about available resources.
The outage struck just as the Chinese community was preparing for Dongzhi, or the Winter Solstice, a significant holiday celebrated with large family meals. “It was a total loss for the business owners,” David Lee lamented, noting that many families had stocked up on perishables for holiday celebrations that never materialized.
In response to the widespread damage, PG&E is offering a $200 bill credit to affected residents and up to $2,500 for businesses that lost inventory. However, many community members argue that these amounts are insufficient. “$200 doesn’t cut it,” Lee stated firmly, urging for increased compensation.
Authorities confirm that PG&E is working on a separate claims process for additional support. However, community advocates worry that many, particularly the elderly and non-English speaking residents, may struggle to navigate this process.
Lee believes the city should maintain a list of vulnerable residents to ensure they receive timely assistance during emergencies. “I hope the city is preparing for the next blackout,” he insisted.
As of Friday, PG&E reported that the Mission Substation, where the outage began, is now stable, with generators providing temporary power to affected areas. PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian confirmed, “We are working on a case-by-case basis to support customers still impacted by the outage.”
In a proactive effort, PG&E representatives were present at the Richmond Center on Wednesday, offering assistance in Chinese and announcing plans for further outreach. Dedicated customer service lines are available for Chinese and Spanish speakers, ensuring better communication going forward.
As residents of San Francisco continue to recover, the call for more substantial support echoes through the community. For many, the emotional and financial repercussions of the outage remain at the forefront, highlighting a critical need for stronger disaster response frameworks.
