Helpful Tips & Info from SCE During Wind/Fire Storms

With the high wind and raging fire that is hitting Southern California, here are some helpful tips from Southern California Edison:

HIGH WIND EVENT
Monday, Oct. 22, 2006, 12:30 p.m.

SCE response underway to damaging winds:

* All available SCE crews are responding to areas hardest hit by the continuing high wind and wildfire conditions to restore service as quickly as possible.
* SCE crews are standing-by to enter areas affected by wildfires when allowed by fire officials to conduct damage assessment and determine when service restoration can begin.
* Some customers in areas affected by the Southland wildfires could be without electric services for 24-hours, or longer.
* With high wind conditions predicted to continue, service interruptions are possible.
* SCE crews and contract personnel will continue to work throughout the evening hours to restore service to customers.

Customers affected by Wind Storm:

* Customers without service as of 12:30 p.m. – approximately 18,200
* Customers affected since high wind and wildfire conditions began on Saturday – 350,600

Hardest Hit Communities:

Inland Empire –San Jacinto, Chino, Rialto, Fontana, San Bernardino, Lake Arrowhead, Rancho Cucamonga, Mira Loma, Hesperia, Corona, Idyllwild, Bloomington, Calimesa and Rubidoux

Orange County – Garden Grove, Brea, Santa Ana, Orange, Fullerton, Yorba Linda, and Villa Park

Ventura County – Ojai, Oxnard, Saugus, Ventura, Moorpark, Calabasas, Camarillo, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Santa Barbara and Thousand Oaks

Safety Reminders During Wind Storms:

* Because of the danger of electrocution, never touch or try to move a downed power line.  Call SCE at 800-611-1911 and your local police and fire officials for assistance.
* Use flashlights instead of candles during power outages.  Make sure you have fresh batteries available for flashlights.
* Watch for traffic signals that may be out.  Approach uncontrolled intersections as four-way stops.
* During an outage, turn off unattended electrical appliances and devices to avoid possible hazards when service is restored.