Local news reports and fire department announcements

Severe Windstorm Threatens Los Angeles and Ventura Counties with 100 mph Gusts and Power Outages

Jan 6, 2025, 10:56 PM

Southern California is bracing for a severe windstorm expected to impact Los Angeles and Ventura counties from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service has issued dire warnings, describing the event as 'life-threatening and destructive' with potential wind gusts reaching up to 100 mph in isolated areas of the mountains and foothills and 80 mph in other regions. The windstorm is anticipated to cause widespread power outages, down trees, and increase the risk of wildfires due to the dry conditions. A 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' Fire Weather Warning and a red flag warning have been issued, highlighting the extreme fire risk, particularly along the Highway 118-210 corridor from Simi Valley to Claremont. The Santa Ana winds are expected to exacerbate the situation. Southern California Edison is considering public safety power shutoffs for nearly 300,000 customers to mitigate fire risks. The last wind event of this magnitude occurred in 2011, causing significant damage and power outages across the region.