Power outages can result from planned events or unplanned incidents. According to San Diego Gas & Electric the two most common causes of unplanned power outages in the San Diego area are severe storms and high winds.

Facts about unplanned power outages

In 2009, SDG&E proposed a fire safety program to secure power to selected areas during high wind events. Areas impacted by the plan are located north of route 78 and/or east or route 15. The City of Carlsbad is not impacted. 

Periods of high power usage, often experienced during hot summer months, can result in planned rotating outages. Areas of Carlsbad that could be affected include:

College Boulevard area

Olivenhain Road and La Costa Avenue area

Carlsbad boulevard between Cannon Road and Poinsettia Lane area

Palomar Airport Road south to Alga Road area 

A rotating outage lasts approximately 60-90 minutes.

The County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services sponsored an Energy Assurance and Resilience Workshop in May 2009, and established a goal to update the regional energy plan.

Additional information about electric safety, gas safety and emergency preparedness.