The worst storm in a decade to hit Los Angeles knocked out the power of more than 60,000 homes across the region Friday afternoon, as strong winds knocked trees into power lines, Los Angeles-area utilities reported.
By 4 p.m., roughly 61,000 homes across Los Angeles were without juice in neighborhoods from Hyde Park to Sherman Oaks to Canoga Park, as winds and rain roared across the entire region, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Southern California Edison reported 22,500 of their customers were without power as of 3 p.m.
“The utility is working hard to restore power to all customers as quickly and safely as possible with crews working around the clock,” the LADWP, which has 1.5 million customers, said in a statement. “LADWP staff will continue to work around the clock as the storm progresses.”
Neighborhoods suffering the worst power outages were Hyde Park, with 3,300 homes and businesses without power; Larchmont, with 3,200; Mid-Wilshire, with 1,600; Van Nuys, with 2,000 customers; and Sherman Oaks, with 1,800 customers without electricity.
The LADWP said the most frequent causes of power outages during storms were downed trees, dead palm fronds, and falling tree branches making contact with power lines.
For some residents, the LADWP said, it may take time to restore power because trees must be first removed before the restoration work.
The utility had beefed up its work crews ahead of the latest storm and are now working in the affected neighborhoods “under tough weather conditions.”
Customers were urged to use caution around downed or dangling power lines or poles. Always assume a downed wire is live, the LADWP said. Never touch a downed wire. And immediately call 9-1-1 to report it.
For more information, check @LADWP and www.ladwp.com.
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