KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Officials with Southern California Edison (SCE) confirmed Tuesday that they had shut off power to areas in the Santa Clarita Valley due to high winds, with initial estimates indicating that they would not have power restored to some areas until Thursday.
Sometime after midnight Tuesday, SCE Power Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) went into effect in areas of Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall and Castaic, affecting large portions of the Santa Clarita Valley.
“When forecasts indicate elevated weather conditions, we’ll begin assessing the potential impact to affected areas,” a statement from the SCE website reads. “We’ll analyze historical data to help predict the likelihood of a wildfire occurring, closely monitor weather watch alerts from the National Weather Service, and place incident responders on alert, if needed.”
The estimated time of power restoration for some areas was by 12 p.m. Thursday, January 21. Other areas, however, did not have any estimated time of power restoration available as of 6:20 a.m. Tuesday.
“Please understand that we need to inspect all lines before we restore power, which means there will be a lag between when the winds subside and when power can be restored. We understand that this is extremely frustrating but ask for your support as we work to keep our communities safe from the threat of catastrophic wind-driven wildfires,” reads a statement on the outages from the SCE website.
Earlier this week, SCE officials began monitoring several areas in Canyon Country, Castaic, Val Verde and Saugus for the potential implementation of PSPS.
As of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, just over 22,500 SCE customers were without power due to the implementation of PSPS. It was unclear how many of those customers were from the Santa Clarita Valley.
A map of the areas under PSPS, as well those being monitored in the Santa Clarita Valley, can be viewed below.
The implementation of PSPS comes as both a Fire Weather Watch and a High Wind Warning have been called for in the Santa Clarita weather forecast due to the abnormally high winds the valley experienced Monday.
See Related: Public Safety Power Shut Offs Implemented In Areas In Canyon Country
When a PSPS is instated in any of the monitored areas, SCE officials say that Community Crew Vehicles and Community Resource Centers will be made available to support customers in impacted areas.
“We observe physical distancing practices and provide Customer Resiliency Kits, which include PSPS information, light snacks, water, small resiliency devices, and personal protection equipment,” a statement from the SCE Outage Center site reads.
For more information, click here.
Ed. Note: This is a breaking news story, more information will be posted as it is made available.
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Shut offs seemed to be targeted in the same areas!
Once again SCE is making the rest of us suffer for their lack of care of their lines, contact Supervisor Barger’s office, the State Assembly representative’s office (depending on your district), State Senator Wilk’s office and US Representative Mike Garcia’s office. I have done this each time SCE does the PSPS and while it does not get my power turned on any sooner all of these people have been pursuing action through the California Public Utilities Commission – that is the group that allows SCE, PG&E, SDG&E to do these “safety” shutoffs. Part of their action has included compiling complaints and hardships suffered by the customers of the power companies when the shutoffs happen.
You’ll also notice that the most populated areas don’t get the community service vehicles or the community resource centers. Granted the Acton and Aqua Dulce areas suffer in a greater way as these residents rely on private wells and pressure pumps for their water – I know. I’m one of them and without power I can’t shower, wash my hands or even use the toilet properly as it takes 45 minutes to an hour to refill the 1.5 gallon tank. Also looking at the map some areas don’t expect to have their power returned until 12:00 on the 21st, yet in the adjacent “watch” area the watch ends at 3:00 pm today. What is that lag about? SCE says they have to check the lines – I have yet to see an SCE crew driving around the area inspecting the lines before restoring power.
The irony is that Gavin Newsome wants to eliminate all forms of power that create an exhaust of some type, in other words all electric homes. businesses, etc.; yet the utilities can’t keep the power on during windy days.
Retaliation for all the lawsuits from the recent years fires blamed on them! Don’t worry though, the new regime being badgered by AOC and the other Pot head Liberals will have the Green New Deal to save us! Maybe you could get all the wasted COVID vaccines thrown away because of incompetent Newsom/Garrshity and fill the well with more fluid volume?
To all who think wind, solar, etc is the solution, watch this 5-minute video… Physics realities and how to be good stewards of the planet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqppRC37OgI&ab_channel=PragerU
I know, these are facts, and it might be painful to those on the left.
Did they survey and consider those who require electricity for medical reasons. Seems heartless and cruel and wholly irresponsible.
We had plenty of forewarning. Everyone should have a emergency supply including battery , solar lights or a generator. We live in earthquake country so honestly there
Is no excuse for not being prepared. Yes it’s an inconvenience but big whoop I’d rather have no power than hear about deaths due to fires.
There are plenty of propane run appliances people can buy also including refrigerators. Just think of the power outages as a glamping trip in your own home.
Agreed 100%. Some people can’t see the dangers and possible loss of lives. It’s all about them and their whining! It’s amazing they bring politics into everything too. I’m with you, it’s not new, we are in Ca. earthquake country, so you all need to go out and buy your lanterns, flashlights and generators, and think about other people, not me,me,,me. You’re sounding like the outgoing administration!! ?
Is this something new? Is it suddenly necessary to cut of the power to homes? Ive been living in the Los Angeles since the early 60’s and wonder why the power outages are so late getting started…Has the equipment changed or has the weather changed? Strange stuff to me….
The problem is it’s the same equipment from the 60s that are now causing fires when the weather drastically shifts. Rather than spend the money to upgrade the hardware, they shut everyone down and call it “preventative.”
My power in Canyon Country was out for more than 24 hours yet again! This is becoming a constant occurrence with power out for many hours at a time. I am left without heat, lights, internet, phone, or refrigeration for hundreds of dollars worth of food for up to 30 hours at a stretch. Why don’t they at least start undergrounding our utilities so we do not have to lose power every time the winds pick up? Please notice they do not discount our electric bills or rebate our spoiled food, this is so wrong. Another reason to leave 3rd world country communist run California…