Violent Winds Wreak Havoc On Southern California
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Nearly 200,000 customers are without electricity as violent winds continue to whip the Southland.
The cities of Sierra Madre and Pasadena declared local emergencies Thursday morning, urging residents to stay home due to several downed trees and power lines. Classes were canceled at all public schools in Arcadia and Pasadena.
"We want to encourage residents to stay home as much as possible today, and for parents to keep kids home from school, due to the many impassible roads from thousands of downed tree limbs, downed power lines and fires," Lisa Derderian, Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Pasadena said.
Winds have been peaking at 60 to 80 miles per hour, but sustained winds have been holding strong at 20 to 30 miles an hour.
The San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and the Inland Empire were hit the hardest overnight, but trees, utility poles and power lines were knocked down across the Southland.
The winds will stay strong through the morning hours before pulling back a bit Thursday afternoon. Another round will kick in late Thursday night through Friday afternoon.
Red flag and wind warnings will remain in effect, and drivers of high-profile vehicles were urged to be especially cautious.
Drivers of semi-trucks and high-profile vehicles were urged to drive cautiously due to the dangerous conditions.
SCHOOL CLOSURES:
According to the Los Angeles County Office of Education, the
following school districts will be closed Friday due to the wind:
- Alhambra Unified School District
- Arcadia Unified School District
- Azusa Unified School District
- Baldwin Park Unified School District
- Duarte Unified School District
- Monrovia Unified School District
Pasadena Unified School District, which also has canceled all after
school program, events and sports-related activities at its campuses.
- San Gabriel Unified School District
- South Pasadena Unified School District
- Temple City Unified School District
The La Canada Unified School District is expected to make a decision on its status at about 6:30 a.m. the San Marino Unified School District expects schools to be open Friday. A decision has not yet been made by the Glendora Unified School District.
