Parts of San Francisco's Mission neighborhood were suddenly plunged into darkness today when a large, unplanned power outage knocked out electricity to multiple blocks. Streetlights and traffic signals went dark, dozens of businesses scrambled to lock down cash drawers and refrigerators, and neighbors grabbed phone flashlights while hopping on group texts and community channels to see how far the blackout had spread. City emergency accounts and Muni quickly flagged the situation as utility crews started working on repairs.
Where to get outage updates
City emergency officials are steering residents to PG&E’s live outage map as the quickest way to see which addresses are in the dark. According to PG&E's outage center, customers can plug in a specific address for near real-time status, along with estimated restoration windows, and can sign up for text or email alerts tied to that location. For downed lines or situations that need immediate attention, residents are directed to PG&E's emergency information page, which lists 24-hour outage reporting and emergency contact numbers.
Transit and traffic impacts
San Francisco Department of Emergency Management amplified the city’s emergency alert about the blackout and warned that Muni service could be disrupted while crews work to restore power. As posted by the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, riders should keep an eye on official service alerts for updated detours, delays, and any coach substitutions that may pop up.
A large, unplanned power outage is impacting the Mission neighborhood.
— San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (@SF_emergency) February 27, 2026
Know where to check outage updates. Visit PG&E’s Outage Center or call 1-800-743-5002 for real-time outage maps, updates, and estimated restoration times. You can also sign up to receive outage alerts… pic.twitter.com/NVU7Oy5Vg8
Drivers, meanwhile, are being reminded to approach dark intersections with extra caution. Under California law (Vehicle Code §21800), an intersection with inoperative signals must be treated like a stop-controlled intersection. That means come to a complete stop, then proceed only when it is clearly safe, even if you think you got there first.
Why this matters
The latest outage lands as San Francisco is still dealing with the political and practical fallout from a December substation fire that cut power to large portions of the city and triggered sharp criticism of PG&E’s response. The San Francisco Chronicle documented the scale of that earlier blackout and the damage at the Mission substation, while KQED covered subsequent supervisory hearings where city officials pressed PG&E on everything from restoration timelines to how clearly it communicated with the public.
That recent history has left small business owners, medically vulnerable residents and already stressed transit agencies especially on edge, even when the lights go out for only a short stretch of time.
How residents can stay safe
Officials are urging residents to enroll in the city’s AlertSF system for accurate, location-specific updates. You can text your ZIP code to 888-777 or visit the city’s emergency page to sign up, which helps ensure you get instructions tailored to your neighborhood instead of rumors from a group chat.
Anyone who relies on electricity for medical equipment is encouraged to double-check their account assistance status with PG&E and to call 211 for information about local resources, including cooling or charging centers and shelter options when needed. Authorities also stress sticking to the basics: reserve 911 for life-threatening emergencies, and use 311 for non-emergency city services, such as reporting downed but non-sparking lines, damaged signs or traffic signal problems that do not present an immediate hazard.
