Rolling Blackouts Lifted: Southern California Edison

LOS ANGELES, CA — Rolling blackouts that were expected to last hours Saturday night ended early when California's power grid got a boost in energy.

For a second straight day, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), ordered Southern California Edison and other major utilities across the state to conduct rolling blackouts to conserve energy.

The rotating power outages were expected to last until midnight, and each impacted area would lose power for about an hour. However, CAISO reports that wind resources increased, allowing the cancellation of the blackouts.

>> Related: Heat Wave Sets Record High In LA; Flash Flood Warning Issued

The Stage 3 Electrical Emergency was declared because of increased electricity demand,
the unexpected loss of a 470-megawatt (MW) power plant, and loss of nearly 1,000 MW of wind power.

"Extreme heat throughout the West has increased electricity usage, causing a strain on the power grid. All available resources are needed to meet the growing demand," the ISO said.

The city of Anaheim explained the current status to its residents on Twitter, saying, "The Stage 3 emergency event has been canceled and we are back to a Stage 2. This means that rotating outages are no longer imminent for the time being. If conditions change, we could move back into Stage 3, so we encourage voluntary electricity reduction tonight."

When you lose power during a heatwave:

• Have a buddy system: Check in on elderly or people with access and function needs.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, even when you are not thirsty.
• Stay cool: Take a cool shower or bath and wear lightweight, loose, light-colored clothing.
• Stay safe: Stay out of direct sunlight and avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.

— Patch editor Bea Karnes and City News Service contributed to this story