New Winter Storm Barrels Into Southern California
New Winter Storm Barrels Into Southern California
The third in a series of winter storms left Southern California late Thursday causing only minor problems for Southern California Edison’s power grid.
As of Thursday afternoon, SCE’s system was weathering the storm well. SCE continued to monitor the system with about two dozen crews out in the field to safely and quickly respond to weather-related problems.
Anthony Edeson, SCE director of Grid Operations, reminded customers to be aware of their surroundings even though the rains may have passed.
“Safety is our No. 1 priority,” said Anthony Edeson, SCE director of Grid Operations. “You may not know the full extent of the danger from downed lines or damaged equipment, especially in wet conditions. The only way to stay safe is to stay away and call 911.”
Storm Safety Tips:
- Downed trees and mudslides may have damaged electrical lines. If you come across any downed wires, stay away and call 911.
- Wet yards with puddles on cement or grass can carry electricity. If a line is down in your yard, remain indoors and call 911 immediately.
- Beware of flooding. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down and two feet can sweep your vehicle away.
- Watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops.
- Never try to remove a broken tree limb or branch that has come in contact with a power line.
- Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlights. Check the batteries to make sure they’re fresh. Never use candles for lighting because they pose a fire hazard.
- If you use a generator, place it outdoors and plug individual appliances directly into it, using heavy-duty extension cords. Connecting generators directly to household circuits creates “backfeed,” which is dangerous to repair crews.