UPDATE – AUGUST 5th : During the first hours of the Power Outage, Southern California Edison managed to restore power to at least 16,000 of the residents affected. By Sunday morning, the remaining 12,000 (Aprox.) that were still with no energy supply had their service restored.
The power supply company informed that there might me “temporary power outages in the Irvine-Newport area” as the plant’s crew keep working to bring back the situation to how it was before. Right now, part of the supply is handled by “re routing” system. Regarding the cause or causes of the Power Outage, latest reports say that “a fire broke out inside the substation that forced the facility to be de-energized”.
EVENTS
Orange County is going through a massive power outage that is affecting right now at least 28,000 users. Southern California Edison is battling its first episode of very hot year that promises to be complicated (Wildfires, Earthquakes and Warmer Weather).
WHAT HAPPENED ?
As of 7.30 PM approximately, the SCE website stated that the problem causing the outage had its origin in a substation of the electricity supply system on Jamboree Road and Michelson. The fire started at around 6.18 PM and was extinguished at 8 PM according to the electricity supply company.
JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT
The airport with base in Santa Ana was affected and its operations were completely shut down. Most of the incoming flights had to be diverted and the rest of the journeys scheduled to take off today and tomorrow have already been canceled.
WHAT IS NEXT?
Authorities are trying to control intersections as traffic lights are not working. At the same time, different locations are open for people in need to stay cool due to the hot temperatures and everyone seeking assistance is welcome to this areas. Latest reports from SCE communicate that the entire system will be fixed by 7 AM PST.
Please check the following information in order to know where you have to go or call if you need assistance (Southern California Edison):
- Watch for traffic signals that may be out and approach those intersections as four-way stops
- Use flashlights for lighting during a power outage. Don’t use candles because they may pose a significant fire hazard.
- First, check for blown fuses or tripped circuits that may be the cause of the loss of power. Also, see if your neighbor has power. This will help determine whether there’s an electric outage.
- Switch off the lights (except one). You can help prevent damage to your electronics and appliances by unplugging them — computers, stereos, televisions and air conditioners. After the electricity is restored, you can plug them in again.
- Get updates from a battery-powered radio if it’s a storm or emergency situation. If it’s a hot day, find relief from the heat at a nearby cool center.
- Keep a fully charged cell phone on hand. During power outages, you may lose phone service, and your cordless phone may also lose power.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. It helps keep the food cool. Before eating food items, check them for spoilage.
- Never light fires or charcoal indoors. If you are cold during a power outage, wear multiple layers of warm clothing.
- If you see a downed power line, do not touch it. Call 911 immediately.
