RivCo Residents In 'High Fire-Risk Areas' Warned Of Power Shutoffs

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — As tropical storm Kay moves into Riverside County with wind and rain Friday, Southern California Edison was alerting ratepayers in high fire-risk areas that power could be shut off.

"Increased fire risk conditions are expected in this area. Be prepared for a PSPS during this time, although we may avoid shut-offs," is the message some SCE ratepayers are receiving.

PSPS, or public safety power shutoffs, were pending across the county Friday, according to SCE.

Check the SCE PSPS map to see if you are affected.

"When weather conditions create a high risk for a wildfire, we may temporarily shut off power to your neighborhood to prevent our electric system from becoming the source of ignition. These outages are called Public Safety Power Shutoffs," according to SCE's PSPS website.

As the nearly two-week-long heat wave draws to a close, high winds and possible flash flooding are in the forecast going into the weekend as Kay bears down on Southern California, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency posted a flash flood watch for Riverside County mountains, the Coachella Valley and the San Gorgonio Pass, beginning Friday afternoon and continuing to Saturday evening.

While the wet weather offers help on the Fairview fire burning near Southwest Riverside County, the storm's wind is a concern. A high wind watch for the entire Inland Empire is in effect from 6 a.m. Friday to 12:01 a.m. Saturday. The storm's cyclonic activity will generate instability throughout the region, according to the National Weather Service.

"The impacts here will include strong east winds, which will be enhanced by the mountains," the NWS said. "Wind gusts over 70 mph (are) likely in parts of San Diego County, especially the mountains Friday, and across ... Riverside and possibly Orange County Saturday."

Forecasters warned that thunderstorms are possible, and rainfall could be in the "2-4 inch range from the mountains east into the deserts."

"Heavy rain is most likely late Friday night through Saturday, but lingering moisture, especially if Kay remains nearby, could bring more rain Sunday," the NWS stated.