Power Outages Affect About 50,000 Around Los Angeles

Electrical service was interrupted today to tens of thousands of customers around Los Angeles County, with weather conditions responsible for many of the problems, authorities said.

As of 7 p.m, about 5,135 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power customers were without power due to the storm. More than 29,000 customers had their power restored after losing service, according to the DWP. Officials said crews were working to have all customers back on line by late tonight.

Among the biggest problem areas in the city were Los Feliz/Griffith Park, with 3,819 customers affected; Vermont Slauson, with 1,766 customers affected; Vermont Knoll, with 2,076 customers affected; and San Pedro/Wilmington, with 1,073 customers affected.

LADWP customers can report outages by calling (800) DIAL-DWP.

In areas covered by Southern California Edison, 5,082 customers were without electrical service as of 7:30 p.m., the utility reported.

About 1,950 customers were impacted in Los Angeles County and another 529 were without service in Orange County, according to SCE.

Some of those without power might remain without service overnight, SCE reported.

“Additional personnel have been mobilized to respond to current outages and in anticipation of additional outages as rain, high winds and lightning move through the area,” SCE’s Lauren Bartlett said in a statement earlier today.

“SCE reminds customers to stay safe,” Bartlett said. “If you see a downed power line or dangling wire even if it appears not to be live don’t touch or approach it -- and call 911 immediately.”

Customers may report outages at (800) 611-1911, and may get the latest information using the SCE outages app at on.sce.com/staysafe, or at the SCE website, Twitter and Facebook pages.

• City News Service