Widespread power outages struck the Central Coast this Christmas Eve, as swirling winds toppled trees and power lines, leaving many customers without electricity.
The weather event began early on December 24, with gusty winds picking up suddenly after morning rain. Reports indicated significant disruptions throughout Santa Barbara and Goleta as branches fell from trees, interfering with traffic and leaving shoppers scrambling to finish holiday errands.
By 10:30 AM, emergency services were inundated with reports of downed power lines across Santa Barbara and Goleta. According to Santa Barbara County Fire spokesperson Captain Scott Safechuck, fire crews immediately began the arduous task of clearing fallen trees, particularly on Highway 101 between Turnpike Road and Patterson Avenue.
Despite crews working diligently, as of 11 AM, many street lights remained dark along downtown Santa Barbara and Hollister Avenue. Several businesses lost power, struggling to maintain operations amid the outages. "Fire crews had already begun clearing trees... between Turnpike Road and Patterson Avenue," stated Captain Safechuck, highlighting the rapid response needed to address the disruptions.
Compounding the issue, as winds continued to wreak havoc through the early afternoon, some areas were reported to be experiencing additional outages. Fire crews were also tackling small brush fires ignited by downed power lines near Foothill Road, illustrating the broader dangers posed by this weather event.
The chaos wasn't limited to just Santa Barbara and Goleta. Multiple power outages impacted hundreds of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers across the Central Coast on Tuesday morning, December 26. By 9:20 AM, outages had been logged in various locations including Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, west of Nipomo, and off Highway 135 near Los Alamos. A particularly large outage affecting more than 3,000 customers near Orcutt had been restored by the time of reporting, illustrating the widespread impact of the weather.
According to PG&E's online outage map, power restoration for most of the affected areas was anticipated by 3:45 PM. Although the exact causes of the outages were not disclosed, it is evident the strong winds were responsible for multiple breakdowns. "Power for most impacted areas was expected to be back on by 3:45 p.m., according to PG&E’s online outage map," reported PG&E.
While some businesses managed to keep their doors open during the outages, the remaining customers—both residential and commercial—faced challenges as they awaited the restoration of services. Emergency crews worked tirelessly, battling unpredictable winds and hazardous conditions, striving to minimize the duration and impact of these outages.
Overall, the pre-Christmas weather event serves as a somber reminder of how quickly nature can disrupt everyday life, and the importance of resilience within the community. The efforts of emergency services highlight the dedicated response to unpredictable weather conditions, reflecting hope for swift recovery for all those affected.
