6,500+ Lose Power As Strong Winds Damage Lines Near Idyllwild

IDYLLWILD, CA — More than 6,500 homes and businesses in Idyllwild and Pine Cove lost power Thursday when winds toppled electrical lines in the mountain communities.

The blackouts were reported about noon along state Route 243, according to Southern California Edison.

The utility blamed strong Santa Ana winds for pushing trees into transmission lines and causing several to collapse, resulting in outages impacting a total 6,684 customers.

Crews were expected to complete repairs and restore service by 7 p.m., SCE said.

According to the Riverside County Emergency Management Department, a warming center had been set up at Idyllwild Elementary and Junior High School, 26700 Highway 243, where residents can go to get out of the cold until electricity is available at their properties.

— By City News Service / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone