Wind Storm Blows Out Power, Downs Trees and More

A cold front brought high winds gusting through Southern California late Sunday and most of Monday, causing both inconvenience and minor damage in our area.

No serious injuries were reported, but there was word of numerous downed trees, shredded window and porch coverings, and  a great many power, internet and traffic signal outages.

In addition to the trees, DWP reported several utility poles down, including one in the parking lot of the mini-mall at the SW corner of Wilshire and Highland.  It fell around 10:30 yesterday morning, damaging the car of a Starbucks employee.  Around the same time, a tree fell in the back yard of a home a few doors south of the mall, on the 700 block of Citrus Ave., causing minor scratches to the homeowner, who was in the yard at the time.  Power was out on that block from mid-morning until around 7 p.m.

At 11:20 a.m. yesterday, the Department of Water and Power reported  several thousand customers without power in the general mid-city area:

Adams-Normandie -812
East Hollywood – 1,509
Harvard Heights – 1,625
Hollywood Hills – 912
Koreatown – 2,789
Larchmont- 4,155
Mid-Wilshire – 960

By 4 p.m. the numbers had shifted a bit, but there were still significant numbers of customers reporting outages:

Hollywood Hills – West – 323
Koreatown – 2,789
Larchmont – 225
Mid-Wilshire – 1,700

And at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, DWP reported 1,937 customers in the Mid-Wilshire are still without power.

Morning commutes on Monday were especially complicated when traffic signals were knocked out for several hours at busy intersections in the Koreatown and West Adams areas.  Downed palm fronds and, in some cases, actual flying debris, contributed to the adventure.

Although things seem calmer so far this morning, high wind warnings will remain in effect until 2 p.m. today.  With cleanup work continuing today as well, DWP reminds  everyone to never touch a downed or dangling wire or anyone or anything in contact with it. Always assume a downed power line is still energized, and report any downed lines immediately by calling the LADWP at 1-800-DIAL-DWP. If you or someone else is in danger, call 911.