SCE Notifies Customers of Potential Power Shutoffs

UPDATED, Nov. 7, 6 p.m. See additional cities.

Southern California Edison activated its Emergency Operations Center and began its 48-hour notification to government officials, emergency management agencies, fire chiefs and impacted customers on Tuesday in the event power must be turned off to protect the public.

Due to a Santa Ana wind event and fire weather forecast, approximately 30,000 customers were notified Tuesday of possible power shutoffs in portions of these communities in high fire risk areas:

San Bernardino, Phelan, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Lytle Creek, Rialto, Trabuco Canyon, Silverado Canyon, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Orange, Rancho Santa Margarita, Canyon Country, Santa Clarita, Altadena and Pasadena.

Due to updated meteorological forecasts of dangerous high winds in designated Red Flag high risk fire areas, SCE has now determined additional communities in the territory that may be affected by possible power shutoffs. SCE will start notifying government officials, emergency management agencies and fire chiefs. Approximately 27,000 customers are being notified today of possible power shutoffs in portions of these communities:

Agoura Hills, Agoura, Castaic, Chatsworth, Fillmore, Irvine, Malibu, Moorpark, Piru, Robinson Ranch, Santa Paula, Saugus, Somis, Simi Valley and Valencia.

The total number of customers who could be impacted by these possible power shutoffs is now approximately 57,000. No power has been shut off at this time because of these conditions. Currently, SCE has identified circuits in the areas that might be affected by dangerous high winds in advance of a potential decision to shut power off.

We will only turn the power off as a last resort to protect customers. We understand the inconvenience of a power outage, but want to ensure the public safety in this kind of extreme wind event.”
SCE INCIDENT COMMANDER GREG FERREE

“We will only turn the power off as a last resort to protect customers,” said SCE Incident Commander Greg Ferree. “We understand the inconvenience of a power outage, but want to ensure the public safety in this kind of extreme wind event. We realize that outages can be an inconvenience and we appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding as we safely work to restore power in impacted communities."

Weather-related outages due to high winds like those expected are common. SCE’s emergency response teams, field crews and meteorologists will continue to monitor changing weather conditions across the service territory that might be affected by dangerous high winds in designated Red Flag fire areas. SCE crews are proactively inspecting and patrolling circuits in areas that may be impacted by the possible power shutoffs at this time.

Red Flag warnings were issued this morning by the National Weather Service for Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Kern and Tulare counties and will be in effect from 10 a.m. Thursday to 10 p.m. Friday. However, Kern, Tulare and Riverside counties are not impacted by the Public Safety Power Shutoff. Communities in those regions could still experience outages related to the extreme weather conditions.

During anticipated Red Flag conditions, circuits in affected areas will not be automatically returned to service when they become de-energized. This is not a Public Safety Power Shutoff; it is simply a safety feature to help mitigate wildfire risk. Before these lines can be re-energized they require on-site inspections, which may increase service restoration times for our customers.

Customers whose contact information is on file with SCE will receive alerts by phone, text or email of any power shutoffs. They should make sure their contact information is correct by going to their account at sce.com under “Profile” or by calling 800-655-4555.

To see the latest information about outages, go to sce.com/outages or visit twitter.com/sce and facebook.com/sce. Customers can also report or inquire about outages at 800-611-1911.

Power Outage Safety Tips

If you see a downed power line, do not touch it or anything in contact with it. Call 911 immediately.
Power outages in the area may impact traffic signals so motorists should use extreme caution and treat all intersections as four-way-stops.
Remember to check emergency supplies to be sure you have a battery-operated radio, a flashlight and fresh batteries.
Use flashlights instead of candles to avoid fire hazards in your home or business.
If you’re in a vehicle with a fallen power line on it, stay in the vehicle and remain calm until help arrives. It is OK to use your cellphone to call 911. If you must leave the vehicle, remember to exit away from downed power lines and exit by jumping from the vehicle and landing with both feet together. You must not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Then proceed away from the vehicle by shuffling and not picking up your feet until you are several yards away.
If you use a generator, place it outdoors and plug individual appliances directly into it, using a heavy-duty extension cord. Connecting generators directly to household circuits creates “backfeed,” which is dangerous to repair crews. Please consult the manufacturer’s manual for operating the generator.