LADWP Crews Continue Windstorm and Fire Recovery Efforts While Readying for Weekend Rainstorm

[Link]

LOS ANGELES (JANUARY 25, 2025) - Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) crews are prepared for any power system outages that may occur as a rainstorm is forecasted to move across the Los Angeles area this weekend. The Department will monitor the storm system closely and have additional personnel available for storm response.

During the storm, winds could blow down large objects such as trees, or cause branches and palm fronds to strike power lines which could cause power outages. This is especially true when soil becomes oversaturated by the rain, causing it to loosen and uproot trees. When these instances occur, a crew's first responsibility is to secure the affected area to protect the public from safety hazards posed by downed trees and wires, followed by the removal of trees entangling LADWP power poles and wires. Only after this is done can crews begin to conduct repair work and restore power.

LADWP also reminds customers to use caution around any downed or dangling wires or poles. If you see a downed wire, always assume it is live. Do not assume a downed wire is a communication line. Never touch any wire that is down or dangling and immediately dial 9-1-1.

Flooding and water intrusion into underground electrical systems may also occur, resulting in power outages. When the affected equipment is underground, crews must go from vault to vault to locate the source of the damage before repairs can take place, which can also take time.

Additionally, areas impacted by the recent fires are more susceptible to unpredictable mudflow events. The severity of mudflows will depend on the volume and duration of the rainstorm event. Mudflows have the potential to be highly destructive and as a result, LADWP has implemented preventative measures around our water and power infrastructure in anticipation of the rainstorm. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepared to implement 24/7 response and restoration operations;
• Cleaned and cleared any ditches and drains that may receive runoff water by removing vegetation and other obstructions;
• Pre-deployed equipment to crucial areas to be ready to respond to emergency situations;
• Staged all necessary equipment and supplies to support response of potential mudslides in the region;
• Will request tree crews to report as needed;
• Prepared to initiate the make -safe policy for extensive wires down, broken poles, etc;
• Installed temporary safety roadside barriers to divert water flows helping to prevent erosion due to rainfall;
• Installed erosion control at LADWP's water infrastructure to help stabilize the ground;
• Installed sandbags at the Pacific Palisades Recreation Center and other key locations;
• Augmented water operation crews
• Made any necessary repairs to surrounding infrastructure at water tanks;

It is important for customers who live in areas susceptible to mudflows, such as those on steep hillsides, in canyons, and especially those in the fire-affected areas, to be prepared for the possibility of such events.

In preparation of the rain, LADWP recommends customers take the following steps:

• Keep a flashlight and extra batteries nearby.
• Never use candles in a power outage or other emergency as it is a fire risk!
• Keep your cellphone and battery packs fully charged.
• Sign up for outage alerts at ladwp.com/OutageAlert

If power does go out:

• Report outages online and track crew status at ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397).
• Switch off all lights, except for one, so you will know when your power has been restored.
• Keep your refrigerator closed to keep food cold.
• Check on vulnerable friends and neighbors to make sure they are safe.

Here are some additional tips from our partners at LA County to be prepared for mudflows.

Follow LADWP via X (@ladwp), NextDoor and visit LADWP's newsroom for potential outage information and updates.

###

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.