Extreme Heat Resources

911, Heat Stroke, & 211 | Keep Cool in Nevada County | Keep Cool in Placer County | Heat Wave Info | Weather | Flex Alerts & Reducing Energy Use | Rotating Power Outages & Rolling Blackouts | PG&E Advisory

Call 911

for HEAT STROKE* or other life-threatening emergency, downed power lines, or if you smell natural gas or propane

Or text to 911

  • Placer County – You can call or text 9-1-1 for emergencies if you are living in or traveling through Placer County.
  • Nevada County – You can call or try texting 9-1-1 for emergencies. Some cell phone service providers may not yet have text to 9-1-1 enabled in Nevada County.

*HEAT STROKE – WHAT TO LOOK FOR

  • High body temperature (103°F or higher)
  • Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
  • Fast, strong pulse
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
  • Losing consciousness (passing out)

*HEAT STROKE – WHAT TO DO

  • Call 911 right away-heat stroke is a medical emergency
  • Move the person to a cooler place
  • Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath
  • Do not give the person anything to drink

Contact 211 for non-emergency information & resources

  • Call 2-1-1 or 1-833-342-5211 (1-833-DIAL211)
  • Text your zip code to 898211 to connect with a live call agent

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KEEP COOL IN NEVADA COUNTY

NEVADA COUNTY COOLING CENTERS & OTHER AIR CONDITIONED FACILITIES & RESOURCES

Nevada County Library Cooling Centers provide air-conditioned space and water. Well-behaved pets on a leash are allowed, and locations are ADA accessible. Library desk services will only be available during regular library hours, but residents can access the Wi-Fi and look at the materials while using the space. Referrals to social services may be available. When there is the possibility of rotating power outages, charging stations may also be made available. 

People can cool off in a number of public places such as local Nevada County Library branches, grocery and other stores, or movie theaters, or with family and friends who have air conditioning.

Nevada County’s Department of Social Services may activate additional Cooling Centers for residents in the event of extreme daytime temperatures and nights that stay very warm.

A Cooling Center is a temporary air-conditioned public space set up by local authorities to deal with the health effects of extreme heat over an extended period of time. Cooling Centers are meant to prevent hyperthermia, especially among the elderly without air conditioning at home.  Higher temperatures can be dangerous for all people, especially the very young, senior citizens, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical conditions.

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KEEP COOL IN PLACER COUNTY

PLACER COUNTY COOLING CENTERS & OTHER AIR CONDITIONED FACILITIES & RESOURCES

Excessive Heat Warning incident page at Ready Placer. Info will be posted if an incident is declared.

If more Cooling Centers are opened, locations and times will be posted as soon as possible. Or call 2-1-1 or 833-342-5211 for locations that may have been opened.

People can cool off in a number of public places such as local Placer County Library branches, grocery and other stores, or movie theaters, or with family and friends who have air conditioning.

Extreme Heat Resources web page – County of Placer

During extreme heat, the County of Placer may open some of its libraries and other county buildings for extended hours to provide air-conditioned spaces for residents in need of respite from the heat.

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HEAT WAVE INFO

EXTREME HEAT – SELECTED RESOURCES from 211

EXTREME HEAT – RESOURCES from the California Department of Aging

Older adults, children under four, people with existing medical conditions, and those without access to air conditioning are the most at risk of extreme heat issues and heat-related illnesses. To prepare for a heat wave, here is a list of trusted resources from the Director of the California Department of Aging to keep you and your loved ones safe, healthy, and cool during extreme heat. Help spread the word and share these resources with your family, friends, and communities.

OLDER ADULT SERVICES RESOURCES from the California Department of Aging

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WEATHER

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FLEX ALERTS & REDUCING ENERGY USE

WHAT IS A FLEX ALERT?

Flex Alert is a call for consumers to voluntarily conserve electricity when there is an anticipated shortage of energy supply. When consumers reduce electricity use during a Flex Alert, it can prevent more dire emergency measures, including rotating power outages.

SEE CURRENT FLEX ALERTS

Find general info and notice of any current Flex Alerts. California ISO issues Flex Alerts to ask residents to voluntarily reduce their energy usage between the hours of 4 and 9 pm due to high temperatures increasing the demand for power. Sign up to receive Flex Alert notifications.

HOW TO REDUCE ENERGY USE

Conserve power, if health permits, by setting thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, avoid use of major appliances, turn off all unnecessary lights, and avoid charging electric vehicles.

PG&E urges customers to take immediate steps to voluntarily reduce their power usage and conserve energy by doing the following:

  • Raise the thermostat – Set the thermostat to 78 degrees when at home, health permitting. Turn it up to 85 degrees or turn it off when not at home.
  • Use a ceiling fan – Turn on a ceiling fan when using the air conditioner, which will allow the thermostat to be raised about 4 degrees to save on cooling costs with no reduction in comfort. Turn off fans and lights when you leave a room.
  • Cover windows – Use shade coverings and awnings so the air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to cool the home.
  • Avoid using the oven – Instead, cook on the stove, use a microwave, or grill outside.
  • Limit opening refrigerators, which are major users of electricity in most homes.
  • Clean clothes and dishes early – Use large energy-consuming appliances like washing machines and dishwashers earlier in the day or late at night after 10:00 pm.
  • Set your pool pump to run overnight instead of during the day.

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ROTATING POWER OUTAGES & ROLLING BLACKOUTS

When there is a high demand on California’s electric grid, PG&E may be ordered to do Rotating Power Outages through different PG&E service areas by block number. Estimated restoration times are 2-3 hours after the outage actually starts. The situation remains dynamic and shutoff and restoration times may change.

OTHER WAYS TO FIND YOUR PG&E BLOCK NUMBER
If there is enough advance notice, you can learn if you will be affected by a Rotating Power Outage. Find your block number on the web or on your PG&E bill in the section that says “Service Information.”

WHAT CAUSES ROTATING POWER OUTAGES?

The need for outages is determined by the statewide grid operator, California Independent System Operator (ISO), not PG&E. California ISO oversees the larger power grid and balances energy demand with supply. Rotating outages become necessary when California ISO is unable to meet minimum reserve requirements after demand reduction through Flex Alerts. Rotating outages are not related to any issues with PG&E’s equipment or its ability to deliver energy locally. Rotating Power Outages are due to strain on California’s grid and are different from Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events, which are initiated during specific high fire-threat conditions.

POTENTIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Due to the nature of this type of emergency, if California ISO requires rotating outages, it is not always possible to notify customers in advance. However, these immediate actions are required to protect and minimize broader impacts on customers. PG&E will notify customers to the best of their ability via the web, media, and social network channels when California ISO grid strains are anticipated.

MONITOR PG&E

UNPLANNED OUTAGES

Separate from rotating outages, some customers may experience unrelated power outages due to separate heat-related issues. PG&E restoration and repair crews are prepared to immediately respond to potential outages.

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PG&E ADVISORY

As California experiences any extreme and extended heat wave, it is important to prepare for the potential of Flex Alerts, rotating outages, and unplanned outages.

SAFETY TIPS FROM PG&E

  • Keep devices and backup batteries charged and readily available.
  • Have a backup plan to maintain any life-support equipment.
  • Keep important phone numbers, such as numbers for hospitals, fire departments, police, friends, and relatives in a convenient location in case you need emergency help or other assistance. 
  • Keep a charged cell phone or hardwired, single-line telephone on hand. Cordless phones don’t work without electricity. 
  • Keep a flashlight with fresh batteries in a convenient place. Have extra batteries on hand. Avoid using candles because of the fire risk. If you must light candles, use extreme caution. 
  • Turn off heat-producing appliances such as ovens, stovetops, and irons during an outage. This practice helps eliminate fire hazards that can occur when power is restored. 
  • Protect sensitive electronic equipment such as televisions and computers with surge suppressors. Unplug any such equipment that is in use when the power goes out.
  • Ensure that food stays cold by keeping your refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
  • Freeze water-filled plastic jugs to make blocks of ice. Place them in the fridge and freezer to help prevent food from spoiling.
  • Keep nonperishable food available that doesn’t require cooking. Ensure that you have a manual can opener.
  • Inform PG&E if you have a generator. Avoid using it unless you’re sure that it was installed safely and correctly. An incorrectly installed generator can damage your property. It can endanger you, and potentially harm PG&E’s line workers who may be working on nearby power lines. Learn more about the backup power and generator safety.

COOLING CENTERS

PG&E also urges customers to stay safe during heat waves. The company funds cooling centers throughout its service area to help customers cool off. If PG&E opens cooling centers near you, you can find them on the web or call 877-474-3266. 

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