California’s San Francisco Suffers One of Its Largest Blackouts as Power Failure Shuts Down Golden Gate Bridge and Transit Systems
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — One of the most disruptive power outages in San Francisco’s modern history brought large parts of the city to a standstill after a sudden blackout cut electricity to critical infrastructure, shut down public transit, and left tens of thousands of residents stranded during a rainy day with more storms approaching.
According to available outage data and city reports, more than 130,000 customers lost power, impacting nearly one-third of San Francisco, including major corridors, neighborhoods, and transportation systems.
“The power cut out in the middle of a rainy day, just in time to ruin holiday plans and trap people on broken trains.”
Golden Gate Bridge and Major Roads Affected by Power Loss
One of the most visible consequences of the outage was the temporary shutdown of the Golden Gate Bridge, a critical artery connecting San Francisco to Marin County. With traffic lights knocked offline across multiple districts, drivers were forced to navigate dark intersections amid worsening weather conditions.
Officials warned residents to avoid unnecessary travel, noting that traffic congestion intensified rapidly as drivers struggled with four-way stops and signal failures.
“If you tried to get across the city, good luck — especially with traffic lights out and confusion at intersections.”
Public Transit Systems Grind to a Halt Across the City
The blackout severely disrupted Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) operations, forcing station closures and train stoppages. Muni services and the Central Subway also went silent, leaving commuters stuck mid-journey and platforms crowded as power restoration timelines remained unclear.
Emergency crews worked to evacuate passengers safely, but officials acknowledged that rain and reduced visibility complicated response efforts.
“Public transit? Dead. BART stations shut down. Muni and the Central Subway went silent.”
Fire at PG&E Substation Emerges as Key Clue in Outage
Preliminary information indicates that a fire inside a PG&E electrical substation in the Mission District may have played a role in triggering the massive blackout. While authorities have not confirmed whether the fire was the sole cause, officials acknowledged it likely contributed to the system failure.
PG&E has not released detailed explanations, fueling public frustration and questions about grid readiness.
“The spark? A literal one — a fire inside a PG&E substation lit up the Mission District.”
Rainy Weather and Incoming Storms Raise Further Concerns
The outage occurred amid steady rainfall, with forecasters warning that additional storms are on the way. City officials and residents alike expressed concern that the electrical grid may not be prepared for continued weather stress in the days ahead.
Emergency management agencies urged residents to prepare for possible repeat outages, keep devices charged, and avoid travel during peak storm periods.
“Rain is still coming, more storms are on the way, and the grid clearly wasn’t ready.”
Questions Mount as Residents Demand Accountability
As power restoration continues, many residents are calling for greater transparency, accountability, and infrastructure upgrades. With no clear timeline for a full explanation and holiday travel already disrupted, frustration remains high across affected neighborhoods.
“Still no answers, no accountability, and more rain in the forecast.”
City officials say investigations are ongoing and additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
If you experienced the outage, transit shutdowns, or traffic disruptions, share what you saw and how it affected you. Stay with WaldronNews.com for continued coverage, safety updates, and verified developments as the situation unfolds.