The storm clouds have passed, but the power outages caused by the storm remain, unfortunately for local residents and businesses. Many residents have been without power since Friday evening when heavy winds downed trees and broke power lines.
In Windsor Square, one resident told us his family heard a loud bang and watched sparks fly as a nearby transformer exploded around 8 p.m. on Friday evening. Power was restored very early Saturday morning but for only about twenty minutes and they have been without power since. The power outage could be the same one that is affecting Larchmont Blvd., but LADWP officials were unable to confirm that when we spoke to them this morning.
“The power grid is complex and varies from block to block,” said Renee Vazquez, Senior Public Relations Specialist. “We are recommending that customers report any outages they have not already reported and to sign up for alerts to know when the power has been restored. These are extreme conditions which have pushed repair times into later hours, but we have every crew out there working.”
Earlier this morning we contacted LADWP with questions about when power might be restored to local residents. We also asked about the outage map, which shows no outages reported in the neighborhood when we looked up addresses for readers who told us they had reported outages. Vazquez told us she would look into the map and get back to us. We will continue to follow up on this issue and update this story as we learn more. If you have reported an outage, please check the map and report it again, if you are able. Outages can reported via phone 1-800-342-5397 and/or email at ladwp.com/OutageAlert.
This morning, LADWP said, “over the past 24 hours, crews have restored power to 50,000 customers. Overall, since the start of the storm Friday, crews have restored power to more than 98,000 customers. There are currently 49,000 customers out of LADWP’s 1.5 million electric customers who are still without power.”
“The remaining power outages continue to be spread across LADWP’s service area with some of the hardest hit communities being Glassell Park, Green Meadows, Hancock Park, Hollywood, and Studio City in the Metro area (South of Mulholland Drive), and Chatsworth, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, Sun Valley, Tarzana, Van Nuys, and Woodland Hills in the Valley area.”
LADWP estimates it will take 24-48 hours to respond up from the previous 12-24 hour response time. They are prioritizing restoration work involving broken or downed power poles and power lines, as those incidents pose a public hazard.
Officials encourage all customers to sign up to receive LADWP’s community outage alerts in English or Spanish for up to three neighborhoods, via phone and/or email at ladwp.com/OutageAlert.
If you experience a power outage, LADWP offers the following recommendations.
- Report it online at ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397)
- Use a flashlight instead of candles as a light source.
- Switch off all lights, except for one, so you will know when your power has been restored.
- Once your power is restored, you may need to reset your circuit breaker for the lights to come back on.
- Keep your refrigerator closed to keep food cold.
- Check on vulnerable friends and neighbors to make sure they are safe.
- LADWP will continue to provide updates on outage restoration as crews make progress at the at ladwpnews.com and via Twitter (@ladwp) and NextDoor.
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