Thunderstorms, Winds Trigger Power Outages in West County Communities

Triple-digit temperatures and humid conditions produced scattered thunderstorms in parts of western Riverside County on Wednesday, toppling power lines and causing other damage.

An isolated thunderstorm cell generated slashing winds in the La Sierra Heights area of Riverside in the early afternoon hours, as the mercury approached 105 degrees.

According to reports from the scene, multiple power lines collapsed near the intersection of Babb Avenue and Gramercy Place. A Riverside Public Utilities spokeswoman told City News Service that 2,300 customers lost electrical service, though power was partially restored within a few hours.

Weather-related outages also occurred in Mead Valley, Good Hope, Murrieta, Menifee and neighboring locations. According to Southern California Edison, more than 1,000 customers were powerless as of 6 p.m., with repairs not slated for completion in some spots until Thursday afternoon.

One of the hardest-hit locations was in the area of Evans and Scott roads in Menifee, where just under 500 customers lost electricity after power poles were toppled by wind shear from a thunder cell.

The Riverside County Fire Department responded to multiple calls of spot fires from downed power lines and temporarily flooded streets. Several Perris Valley properties sustained damage, according to the fire department.

According to the National Weather Service, a heat advisory remains in effect for the Inland Empire until 6 p.m. Thursday. Temperatures were expected to top the century mark again in Riverside and surrounding communities.

A flash flood watch was also in effect until Thursday night. Forecasters predicted a return of isolated thunderstorms in valleys and mountain passes.

The heat was expected to break by Friday, with a slight cooling trend setting in, according to the National Weather Service.

• --City News Service, photo courtesy of Ashley Jennings Bigay