Council District 2's Action During the Wind: Live Blog Report

Power Outage Live BlogAll day, we'll be updating news about the power outages that blackened Southern California last night and swept electricity from an estimated 83,000141,000 Angelenos. 

3:30: LADWP now reporting that about 130,000 of its 1.4 million electric customers are still without power as high winds continue to cause outages in several neighborhoods. 

Approximately 127,000 of these customers are located in the Los Angeles Metro Area and the remaining 3,000 are in the San Fernando Valley. Power has already been restored to more than 80,000 customers since  the wind storm began last night.

LADWP currently has over 100 crews responding to over 1,000 separate incidents and has called in crews from out of state and from other remote areas in the State of California to assist in restoration efforts.

 LADWP crews are working in extremely dangerous conditions to restore power and are working as quickly and safely as possible to do so.  At this time, the current estimated time of restoration for customers experiencing outages is 24 - 48 hours. Many customers will experience shorter outages, but customers experiencing outages should be prepared for up to 24 - 48 hours.  LADWP asks for the patience of our customers as we work around the clock to restore service during this major wind storm.

3:17: Where and how fast is the wind going? Snapshot of wind directions as of 3:17 p.m.:

3:16: For some national perspective, we turn to The Weather Channel 

Reports say street signs are bent to the ground in Farmington, Utah. Pictures show siding has been ripped right off homes in Centerville, Utah. All over Twitter, people in Southern California have tweeted they felt like they're in the middle of a hurricane. Although California and Utah have taken the brunt of the storm so far, the howling winds were intruding into the Desert Southwest by Thursday afternoon.

3:07: The wind advisory now in effect will stay with us until at least noon Friday, though the High Wind Warning has been cancelled. Officials are also cautioning residents to be aware that air quality could suffer as a result of winds whipping up dust and debris into the atmosphere.  

1:57: We've just been informed that a few banners from our Hometown Heroes Military Banner program have blown off of light posts along Foothill Boulevard in Sunland-Tujunga. This is a program we launched very recently to honor those serving abroad and veterans who've devoted their lives to this country. If you see any, please let us know ASAP. Either call (818) 352-3287, email us, tweet us, stop on by our field office at 7747 Foothill Boulevard. Thanks.

1:38: Pictures from our roving staff members of downed trees in Valley Glen. If crews are not yet on the scene, they will be soon. We post these to ensure you use extreme caution when on the roads today:

Fun story: A 60-year-old resident near Bellaire and Kittridge (the first four pictures) in Valley Glen, helped clear these trees from the streets. She did so after sweeping loose branches and leaves from the street before flagging down a man driving a flat-bed truck, who then pushed the large tree limps to the curb. Before their efforts, a half lane in each direction was open; after, as you can see, most of the street's been cleared.   

1:16: Currently, about 141,000 of the DWP's 1.4 million electric customers are without power as high winds continue to cause outages in several neighborhoods. Approximately 138,000 of these customers are located in the Los Angeles Metro Area and the remaining 3,000 are in the San Fernando Valley.

LADWP currently has over 100 crews responding to over 1,000 separate incidents and has called in crews from out of state and from other remote areas in the State of California to assist in restoration efforts.

LADWP crews are working in extremely dangerous conditions to restore power and are working as quickly and safely as possible to do so.  At this time, the current estimated time of restoration for customers experiencing outages is 24 - 48 hours. Many customers will experience shorter outages, but customers experiencing outages should be prepared for up to 24 - 48 hours.  LADWP asks for the patience of our customers as we work around the clock to restore service during this major wind storm.

12:04: The LADWP is now reporting that due to the severity of outages throughout the city, it may take between 24 and 48 hours for power to be restored to some customers. The utility has entered Response Level 3 as they've called in all available crews plus additional ones to staunch the outage.  



11:21: Sun Valley update: Area where a dead tree fell, near Wentworth and Sheldon streets, has been cordoned off by LAPD:


View Larger Map  

11:15: Studio City school update: Power at Walter Reed MiddleSchool has been restored while Campbell Hall School is closed for the day.

10:20: We just got the following update from the DWP:

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reports approximately 129,000 of its 1.4 million electric customers are without power as high winds continue to cause outages in several neighborhoods. 

Approximately 123,400 of these customers are located in the Los Angeles Metro Area and the remaining 5,600 are in the San Fernando Valley.  Current estimated time of restoration for customers experiencing outages is 10 - 12 hours.

LADWP currently has over 100 crews responding to over 1,000 separate incidents and are working to restore power as quickly and safely to our customers. We strongly encourage the public to stay away from any downed power line and downed trees and tree limbs.  This is especially important with many children home from school today to keep them safe.

The following areas and neighborhoods have the most number of customers impacted:

WESTSIDEVenice: 12,000
Del Rey: 7,700
Westchester: 7,200
Playa del Rey: 2,500

SOUTH:Green Meadows: 5,500
South Los Angeles: 4,800
Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw: 2,400

CENTRAL/ DOWNTOWNHollywood: 8,700
Hollywood Hills: 5,500
Los Feliz: 5,100
Chinatown: 2,100

EASTSIDE/NORTHEASTHighland Park: 14,700
El Sereno: 9,900
Glassell Park: 8,400
Eagle Rock: 6,600
Lincoln Heights: 4,700
Cypress Park: 4,600
Griffith Park: 4,600
Boyle Heights: 2,000

VALLEYVan Nuys - 2,400
The public and members of the media are encouraged to check the Department’s news site and Twitter page, @LADWP, for updates. 
The next outage update will be posted at approximately Noon.

In the event of a power outage:

• Stay calm.
• Have a flashlight and extra batteries nearby. Don’t use candles in a power outage.
• Turn off lights but leave one light turned on so you will know when your service is restored.
• Turn off and unplug appliances and other electrical equipment. Unplug heat-producing items like irons and space heaters. This helps prevent circuit overloading, which could delay restoration of service.
• Call us and report your outage at 1-800-DIAL DWP (1-800-342-5397).

If you encounter a downed power line:

• Report any downed power lines immediately by calling the LADWP at 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397). If you or someone else is in danger, call 911.
• Do not touch a downed or dangling wire or anyone or anything in contact with it. Always assume a downed line is still energized.
• If a power line falls on your car, stay in the car and wait for help. If you must get out, make sure you do not touch the metal parts of the car and the ground at the same time. The safest exit method is to open the door, stand on the door sill and jump free without touching the car.
• Stay away from metal fences, such as chain link fence, as there may be a power line down and touching the fence somewhere beyond your sight.
• If there is damage to the connection from the power pole to your house, you should go to the electrical box and turn off the main switch or shut off the fuse switch. Again, always assume electric lines are live.
• In case of an electrical emergency, stay calm and think before you act. Don't become a victim while trying to help others. Call 911.
• If someone is shocked or not breathing, apply cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR.) Then cover the victim with a blanket, keep their head low and get medical attention.

10:15 We are waiting from the latest update from the LADWP. For now,KPCC has a great, user generated Google map of those affected by last night's wind storm. Add your contribution and/or plan your morning commute: 

View #LAwind: Share your wind reports in a larger map