Southern California has received notice of potentially “life-threatening” and “destructive” windstorms.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued high-wind warnings for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The NWS warned residents to “stay indoors & away from windows” and to “expect power outages.”
Some of the areas of greatest concern include the 118 and 210 corridors, the Santa Monica mountains and foothills, the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys, Pasadena, Burbank, Hollywood, Sylmar, and Malibu.
Wind gusts could reach as high as 100 mph, ABC 7 reports, and present a wildfire risk.
According to weather officials, the event will “likely be the most destructive windstorm seen since 2011,” which resulted in “extensive damage to Pasadena and nearby Foothills of the San Gabriel Valley.”
“We are no strangers to winter-time wildfire threats, so I ask all Californians to pay attention to local authorities and be prepared to evacuate if told to go,” Governor Gavin Newsom (D) said.
Southern California Edison has turned off the power of more than 4,600 customers as a precaution. It is considering power safety shutoff for an additional 414,000 customers.
“From Tuesday through Wednesday, wind gusts are forecast to reach up to 85 mph with isolated gusts to 100 mph. The winds combined with locally dry vegetation will increase the risk of wildfire, meaning Public Safety Power Shutoffs may be necessary to protect homes and communities,” the energy company said. “SCE crews are also ready to quickly and safely respond to power outages due to extreme high winds that are not due to PSPS.”
