Well, many of you are telling us that a wide swath of Arcata has gone dark — reports coming in from HSU campus to Wildberries. One LoCO reader tells us they spoke to a PG&E representative on the phone and was told that 2,400 customers are currently without power and that they estimate they’ll have the juice flowing again by 5:30 p.m.

So what’s up? Well, Arcata Police Chief Tom Chapman, reached via text, tells us that at least one but maybe two transformers blew near the corner of 16th and J streets. There are live wires on the ground — the road is currently taped off — so, obviously, don’t go there. 

PG&E’s website is currently experiencing difficulties which is why LoCO‘s Blackout Bot did not perform its duties. We will punish the bot and update you manually when we know something. 

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UPDATE, 2:25 p.m.: Ah! Blackout Bot will not receive punishment after all! Good, good bot.

ELSEWHERE: LoCO Blackout Bot: 2,743 Customers Without Power in Arcata

UPDATE, 2:55 p.m.: Arcata man about town David Jervis posted an interesting theory, below, to Facebook and noted to us he heard it from an Arcata High School student. The truth is out there!

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UPDATE, 4:15 p.m.: Ho! PG&E confirms the Jervis Theorem! Statement below: 

PG&E crews are responding to a power outage impacting approximately 2,743 customers in the city of Arcata. The outage started at approximately 2:05 when a metallic balloon came into contact with one of our lines at G Street and 16th Street.  Nearly half of the customers have been restored but crews are working safely and as quickly as possible to restore everyone.  Crews are repairing one downed wire and two spans (wire from one pole to the next).  We expect all customers to be restored by 5:30 pm. 

In the first five months of 2016, metallic balloons striking electric lines have caused nearly 180 power outages in PG&E’s service area alone, a 14 percent increase over the previous year. These power outages can interrupt electric service to critical facilities such as hospitals, schools and traffic lights.

This is the perfect time to remind your readers about the following tips on how to properly include mylar balloons in any celebration (see attached graphic):

-Tip #1:  Secure mylar balloons with weights

-Tip#2:  Avoid celebrating with balloons near overhead electric lines

-Tip#3:  Never release them outdoors – keep them indoors

-Tip#4:  Do not bundle them together

-Tip#5:  Never attempt to retrieve any object that may be caught in a power line.  Leave it alone, and immediately call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem.

-Tip#6:  Never go near a power line that has fallen to the ground or is dangling in the air. Always assume downed electric lines are energized and extremely dangerous. Stay far away, keep others away and immediately call 911 to alert the police and fire departments.

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