High Winds Expected Through Tuesday in Ventura County

SCE ADVISORY:

High winds are forecast for Ventura County until Tuesday, Southern California Edison announced Sunday.

SCE officials reminded its customers that outages may occur and to never approach or touch downed power lines.

The National Weather Service is predicting wind gusts between 60 to 80 miles per hour.

If you see a downed line or dangling wire — even if it appears not to be live — don’t touch or approach it or anything that is in contact with it and call 911 immediately.

SCE will provide the latest information about outages at www.SCE.com on Facebook and Twitter, and via its mobile “SCE Outages” app, available online at www.SCE.com/outages.

Customers can report any unplanned outages at 1-800-655-4555.

SCE has extra personnel, including restoration and repair crews, standing by.

Call Center representatives also will handle additional customer inquiries during the predicted high wind conditions.Customer safety is a top priority for SCE. Here are important tips to keep in mind:

• Watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops. 

• Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlights. Check the batteries to make sure they are fresh.

•  Use flashlights for lighting during a power outage; do not use candles because they may pose a significant fire hazard. 

• Do not use any equipment inside that is designed for outdoor heating or outdoor cooking. Such equipment can emit carbon monoxide and other toxic gases. 

•  If you use a generator, place it outdoors and plug individual appliances directly into the generator, using a heavy-duty extension cord. 

• Connecting generators directly to household circuits creates “backfeed,” which is dangerous to repair crews.

•  Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. Place blocks of ice inside to help keep food cold. Check food carefully for signs of spoilage.

• Check on your neighbors to make sure everyone is safe. A video and fact sheet about power line safety is available here.