PG&E has been warning us for months of possible extended power shutoffs. Aren’t you glad you paid attention?

OK, so many of us did not. And starting early Wednesday, the embattled utility company is planning to literally leave many people in the dark in order to limit the possibilities of wildfires like those that have devastated a number of communities — including the North Bay and the town Paradise — the past few years.

Strong offshore winds are expected in Northern California the next few days, ramping up the possibility of fire danger and prompting PG&E to warn of shutoffs that could affect 800,000 of its customers, including 275,000 in the Bay Area.

The good news is there’s still time to prepare. Users are advised to gather food, water and medical supplies, much like they should for any disaster (like the earthquake kit you keep putting off). But be forewarned, the company’s sites with tips and information have crashed under heavy use.

In reference to @PGE4Me : yep. Website is down because of too many people checking on the status of their proposed power shutdown. Such confidence they give me. https://t.co/OEaiGIpcEm — Sarah Trejo (@SarahTrejo) October 8, 2019

@JMLWantuchArt went into action late but is now prepared for a shutdown.

I hope everyone affected by the PG&E potential power shutdown are prepared. I realized how I wasn’t, and bought and gathered everything I could think of including filling our tub with water and freezing containers… https://t.co/D0BROknN3T — Jenny Wantuch (@JMLWantuchArt) October 8, 2019

Newscaster @amyhollyfield tweeted out a photo of someone taking precautions by buying extra gas at an East Bay gas station.

Residents in the East Bay are gearing up for the PG&E power shutdown. People are buying ice, gas, flashlights and batteries. pic.twitter.com/3pCY2P2bRU — Amy Hollyfield (@amyhollyfield) October 8, 2019

But as @newsfroggie pointed out, some of the more in-demand supplies — in this case, dry ice — have already sold out.

A sign that folks are planning ahead for the PG&E power shutdown scheduled for Wednesday AM…Signage at the Safeway in Lafayette CA pic.twitter.com/Tx5UbXK6Eh — brian yuen (@newsfroggie) October 8, 2019

@TheManAbides had some advice for Bay Area businesses.

Notified my staff of our plans for if PG&E shuts down power in an effort to head off potential fires. If you're in NorCal, ask for your employer's plan, and check this site to see if your home or place of work is within the estimated shutdown areas.https://t.co/QPYu47oAw0 — Evil Overlord (@TheManAbides) October 8, 2019

Let’s face it — many of us are trying to figure out how we’re going to survive without a particularly crucial appendage the next few days.

Keep those phones charged up today, because I don’t want to see y’all looking like feens when the @PGE4Me power shutdown comes round. pic.twitter.com/ib5TDyaCi0 — Kyrah A. Ayers 🏃🏾‍♂️ (@KyrahAyers) October 8, 2019

@BurbridgeNick was expecting all-out hysteria.

I can’t wait for this shutdown. It’s gunna be a blast seeing everyone panicking for their phone power — Nicky Blue Jeep (@BurbridgeNick) October 8, 2019

Not surprisingly, many were upset at the prospect of a shutdown and directed their ire at PG&E.

.@PGE4Me needs new management. @GavinNewsom a power shutdown without even cell service is a public safety disaster waiting to happen. #PGE #PowerShutdown #BreakupPGE — jon miwa (@jonmiwa) October 8, 2019

See there is no excuse for the shutdown. They are trying to make us believe it is for our safety and yet they are leaving thousands of people vulnerable. Instead of shutting off power maybe you should monitor areas and have people on the ground to alert you IF there is an issue. — Jill (@sireesanwar) October 8, 2019

@PGE4Me is manufacturing a crisis during the anniversary of our 2017 wildfires, all in order to avoid their liability and make their millions in profits. Shame, shame shame on them! #PowerShutDown #SantaRosa @sonomasheriff #sonomacounty — Shirlee Zane (@ShirleeZane) October 8, 2019