LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Thousands of Los Angeles-area residents were coping with power outages Tuesday thanks to the wild weather, including many who lost electricity due to fallen trees that fell onto power lines.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported about 7,000 customers were without power as of 9 a.m. Tuesday, with the most impacted areas including Koreatown, Mid-Wilshire, Pacific Palisades and Brentwood.
Video from the Brentwood area showed trees that fell in the area and took out power lines.
"Outages caused by fallen trees can take additional time to restore, as the tree limbs need to be cleared before work can begin on fixing the power structures," according to a DWP statement. "Other complications include flooding in multiple underground vaults which need to be pumped out prior to identifying the source of the problem."
As of midday Tuesday, Southern California Edison was reporting outages affecting about 2,800 customers in Los Angeles and Orange counties. It was unclear how many of those outages were storm-related.
There was no immediate estimate on when all power would be restored. DWP officials said additional crews came aboard at 6:30 a.m. to relieve others who have "been working up to 16-hour shifts."
Additional staff has also been added to DWP call centers to help field customer inquiries, according to the utility. Customers can call 800-DIAL- DWP (342-5397).
"LADWP reminds the public to never touch a downed or dangling wire no matter how small, or anyone, or anything in contact with it," according to the utility. "Always assume a downed wire is still energized with high voltage electricity. Stay away and immediately CALL 9-1-1."