On Christmas Eve, Southern California Edison (SCE) reported significant power outages affecting over 38,000 customers across Los Angeles County, primarily concentrated in the cities of Downey and Norwalk. The outages stemmed from transformer failures at SCE substations, leading to widespread disruptions for residents during one of the busiest holiday times of the year.
According to SCE, the initial problems began at around 1:35 p.m., with approximately 24,187 customers in Downey losing power. By 3:15 p.m., the total number of affected customers increased to 25,221, and reports indicated issues were not limited to power. Many residents also experienced water pressure problems, prompting repair crews to respond immediately.
Police involvement
The Downey Police Department received numerous inquiries from concerned residents but advised them not to report the outages. Instead, the police were primarily focused on maintaining order and supporting utility crews who were actively assessing and repairing the situation. Officials from the Downey Police clarified, “Residents do not need to report the power and water issues to police.”
Businesses along Firestone Boulevard, which includes the popular Stonewood Center, were also reported to be affected, losing power during this peak shopping season. Compounding the issues, some customers experienced data service outages, complicatng communication efforts across the region.
Transit disruptions
The impact of the outage extended to public transportation as well, with the Metro C train line being temporarily halted between Norwalk and Willowbrook/Rosapark due to the loss of electricity. Buses were deployed as substitutes to transport stranded passengers, showcasing the ripple effect of the power outages on daily life.
Response efforts and timelines
Jeff Monford, a spokesman for Southern California Edison, stated at around 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve, “We know every outage is a real hardship, and SCE crew members are working to restore power as quickly as they can, with safety as the biggest priority.” Although there was no fixed timeline provided for complete restoration of power, Monford confirmed most customers had their electricity restored earlier on Christmas Eve.
Despite prior projections indicating restoration would be completed by 5 a.m. on Christmas Day, thousands remained without power late on Christmas Eve, creating uncertainty as families planned their holiday gatherings.
Weather conditions as a contributing factor
The transformer failures occurred during mild storm conditions, which the National Weather Service predicted would bring light rains tapering off by evening. This changeable weather, known to cause complications for electrical infrastructure, raised concerns among residents already on edge due to the impending holiday.
SCE’s estimation of the situation was reflected on their outage status website, which had been continuously updated throughout the day as crews worked diligently to mitigate the impacts of the outages.
Ongoing assessments
While these coordinated efforts to restore service continued, Southern California Edison had not released comprehensive updates on the progress of repairs. Crews were dispatched to specific hotspot areas, including Whittier and Paramount, to address the outages, with many residents anxiously awaiting the return of power services.
Headquartered nearby, SCE took precautionary measures to mobilize additional technicians to expedite restoration processes, providing reassurance to customers grappling with the fallout of the unexpected transformer failures.
By late evening, reports indicated many neighborhoods had their electricity restored, yet several thousand were still left in the dark, creating notable distress among families gathering for Christmas celebrations.
Social media channels buzzed with discussions as residents took to platforms to share information and updates, reflecting the community's collective frustration and the urgency of the situation. Many expressed their hopes for swift action from utility services as they worked to navigate through the unseasonable challenges posed by holiday power outages.
