On February 17, 2026, Stanford University experienced a power outage during a severe winter storm affecting the Bay Area. The outage, which impacted large parts of the campus, was linked to a PG&E transmission line failure caused by the storm. This disruption led to the closure of several key campus facilities, including dining halls, classrooms, and research labs, for several hours.
Stanford issued an emergency alert shortly after the outage began, informing students, faculty, and staff about the situation. The power failure led to widespread disruptions, particularly in academic and research activities, as well as everyday campus operations. While power was gradually restored, the impact was felt across the campus throughout the morning.
Widespread Disruptions Across Campus Operations
The Stanford power outage caused significant disruptions to daily campus life. With several buildings losing power, students, faculty, and staff encountered challenges such as elevators stalling, Wi-Fi interruptions, and cancelled office hours. These issues made it difficult for students to attend classes, meet with professors, or complete assignments.
Many students struggled with the loss of internet access, especially when deadlines for assignments and projects were approaching. One student explained, “I had to carry my scooter down the stairs after the elevator stopped working,” which further complicated the process of navigating the campus.
Emergency Response and Power Restoration
In response to the power loss, university staff collaborated with PG&E to restore electricity. By 10:38 a.m., partial power had been restored to some buildings, and by 11:39 a.m., full restoration was confirmed. Throughout the morning, Stanford’s AlertSU system kept students, faculty, and staff informed about the status of the outage and efforts to bring systems back online.
While some parts of the campus had partial power, it wasn’t until later in the morning that full restoration took place. Dining halls, academic buildings, and research labs resumed operations as electricity was gradually restored. Students and staff were able to return to their routines, though some services were affected for several hours before they were fully operational again.
Bay Area Storm Brings Major Disruptions Across the Region
The Stanford power outage was part of a larger pattern of disruption caused by the winter storm impacting the Bay Area. The storm, which included heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flooding, created widespread problems for both residents and businesses. Local authorities issued multiple warnings as floodwaters began to rise in certain areas, while snow accumulated on nearby mountain peaks, including Mt. Hamilton, where up to eight inches of snow was reported.
PG&E worked to restore power to thousands of homes and businesses across the region. Fallen trees and debris from the strong winds caused additional delays in power restoration, as crews had to clear roads before making repairs. In total, the storm affected numerous communities, creating widespread service interruptions.
Impact on Commuters and Local Infrastructure
The Bay Area storm affected commuters and local infrastructure, particularly in areas where roadways were flooded or blocked by fallen trees. Interstate 80, a major route to and from Stanford, was among the highways most impacted by the storm. Snow and rain slowed traffic, while fallen trees and debris blocked lanes in several areas, leading to significant delays and detours.
Commuters experienced long travel times, with many drivers stranded for extended periods due to the road closures. Public transportation also faced delays, as local bus and train routes were affected by flooding and power outages. Several schools in the area had to adjust their schedules or temporarily close due to the storm’s effects on transportation and campus facilities.
Weather System Expected to Continue Affecting the Region
The winter storm that caused the Stanford power outage was expected to continue affecting the Bay Area throughout February 17 and into the following days. Meteorologists warned that heavy rain, wind gusts, and flooding could continue, with snow expected in higher elevations. The ongoing storm, along with potential flash floods, kept emergency agencies on high alert across the region.
Local authorities urged residents and travelers to stay informed and avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in the mountain regions where avalanche risks were elevated. The storm system posed an ongoing threat for several days, with the potential for additional power outages and travel disruptions. Emergency services remained on standby to assist in the event of further damage caused by fallen trees, flooding, or other storm-related issues.
