A widespread power outage in San Francisco left approximately 130,000 residents and businesses in the dark and disrupted local transportation systems, including self-driving vehicles that were forced to pull over and stop in the streets.
The blackout began abruptly, cutting electricity to homes, offices, and critical infrastructure across multiple neighborhoods. Utility crews mobilized quickly to identify the cause and restore service, while city officials worked to coordinate emergency responses for affected areas.
One notable impact was on autonomous vehicles operating in the city. With loss of power and traffic signals, several self-driving cars automatically stopped in place, prompting local authorities to manage traffic and ensure safety as lines of stalled vehicles accumulated.
Public transit, businesses, and communication centers also felt the effects of the outage, though many restored service as technicians repaired the underlying issue. Emergency responders focused on maintaining public safety and assisting vulnerable residents who rely on powered medical equipment.
Utility officials reported that crews made steady progress throughout the outage period, implementing repairs and gradually bringing power back online. By evening, a majority of customers had their electricity restored, though some areas continued to experience intermittent service.
City leaders said they will review the outage’s cause and response to strengthen grid resilience and prevent similar disruptions in the future, especially as critical transportation and infrastructure systems become more dependent on reliable power.