As power outages affected thousands of households in Los Angeles County Saturday, California’s Independent System Operator declared a Stage 2 Emergency, warning of possible rotating blackouts.
Temperatures in the southwestern region of the state reached record highs in several places, straining California’s power grid as a Flex Alert called on residents to conserve energy. Among the hottest temperatures recorded was 117 degrees in Woodland Hills, according to National Weather Service. The heat soared past 100 degrees in areas of the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley.
The National Weather Service recorded 116 degrees at Van Nuys Airport and 111 degrees in Palmdale.
By Saturday evening, power outages were affecting 8,336 Southern California Edison customers in L.A. County and another 9,000 serviced by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, according to both agencies. The Pasadena Department of Water and Power reported at least 2,870 of its customers were without power.
California’s grid operator later declared a Stage 2 Emergency by 6:30 p.m., asking residents to conserve electricity whenever possible to relieve stress on the power grid.
Most of those affected by LADWP outages were in the Baldwin Hills/ Crenshaw area while some of the other communities affected include El Sereno, Sun Valley, Reseda and the Mid-City area, according to LADWP.
The statewide Flex Alert was expected to remain in effect until 9 p.m. Saturday.
“Help conserve energy by adjusting air conditioners to 78 degrees or higher, avoid using large appliances and turn off all unneeded lights,” SoCal Edison said in a tweet.
