POwer also went out for a minute around 3:55 pm

As discussed on NextDoor, CPAU's outage alerts contained erroneous information:

The correct link for the outage map is Web Link not the links contained above or in the city emails. You said CPAU is "testing" new websites etc. but it would be great if you yourself tested the links before releasing it to us during power outages. Also, your big green box covers up the map making it impossible to see the map itself.


Author
• City of Palo Alto•1h

Point well taken. We've updated the posts with the correct URL and will work with our partners in Utilities to update the old "quicklink." This was the first outage with the new system and you're right, the Police Department should have tested the link as a result. Appreciate the feedback.

Maybe staff could use their new paid Days Of Reflection to contemplate the virtues of testing their sites /links before releasing them to the public as they've done repeatedly for the Crime Maps, the Avoid Construction Route Finder Beta, etc etc.

Just a thought.

Latest Tweet I have seen from Utilities says due to severely damaged equipment which needs to be replaced, it is now due to come back at 3 am! I wonder if it is working yet.

Severely damaged equipment, does this mean vandalism? How does equipment get damaged unless something untoward occurs?

@Bystander
I believe the report I heard mentioned "equipment failure", which doesn't sound like vandalism. Certainly electrical equipment can fail in spectacular ways that causes local damage.

Re. Undergrounding Utilities: Looking at the correct map, I see that my address (In Southgate) is within the larger area affected, but POWER HERE STAYED ON. Perhaps my good fortune is because we have UNDERGROUND UTILITIES. Just saying. Still hoping the city planners will take a long view and avoid doing new utilities up on poles where they are so vulnerable to vehicle crashes, winter storm damage (fallen trees, etc), etc. Yes, underground has some challenges and costs more. But if we are going to get people weaned off GAS, we'll need power that doesn't go out on a beautiful day like yesterday.

@Former
My understanding is that the city will no longer create underground vaults (e.g. for transformers), instead using large ugly metal utility cabinets placed in an easement on the homeowner's side of the sidewalk. Already-undergrounded neighborhoods will have their new/upgraded equipment installed in such above-ground metal cabinets even if the wiring remains underground. The complaints expected from such "de-undergrounding" are why already-undergrounded neighborhoods are scheduled to be last to have their electricity distribution upgraded.