In recent days, Southern California has been gripped by a scorching heat wave, leading to strains on the power grid and causing power outages in some areas.
According to reports from the city’s news agency, utility workers have been working tirelessly around the clock in the sweltering heat over the past weekend to restore power supply. Last Sunday, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reported dozens of power outages, including in the surrounding areas of the University Park campus at the University of Southern California (USC).
LADWP announced at 3:47 pm last Sunday, “Work crews are still on-site addressing the outages and working to restore power. Echo Park, Northridge, and Valley Glen are the communities with the highest concentration of affected customers.” They mentioned that out of 1.5 million power customers, 6,610 were still without power, but by 3:00 pm, power had been restored to 71,101 customers.
On Saturday, the department reported about 100 residential areas experiencing power outages, affecting approximately 7,000 power customers.
As of 3:45 pm last Sunday, Southern California Edison (SCE) reported 34 power outages in Los Angeles County affecting 2,764 customers, and 7 outages in Orange County affecting 156 customers.
LADWP customers can check the locations and status of the outages at ladwp.com/outages, while SCE customers can visit sce.com/outage-center/check-outage-status for the latest updates.
Los Angeles officials urge customers to report outages immediately by calling 800-DIALDWP (800-342-5397) or by visiting ladwp.com/outages to report the situation. Real-time information is crucial for utility companies to dispatch crews promptly to restore power.
SCE customers can report outages at sce.com/outage-center/report-an-outage.
Officials also encourage residents to conserve electricity during peak hours in the late afternoon and evening to avoid further outages.
DWP recommends that residents adjust their thermostats to 78 degrees Fahrenheit to stay safe and cool at home, and to turn off air conditioning systems when not at home.
The utility department also suggests residents to use major appliances like washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and dishwashers before 4 pm or after 9 pm, or to avoid using electricity as much as possible until the heat wave subsides.
Some students living near the University Park campus at USC experienced a power outage around 9:30 pm on the 6th, while thousands in surrounding areas were also affected by other outages, including at Mount St. Mary’s University, West Adams, and Exposition Park. However, the campus itself did not lose power.