Tag: high winds

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills posted on its Facebook page that the region is experiencing high wind conditions for the next couple of days. Active fires have already broken out in neighboring cities including a small incident in the Hollywood Hills and the Palisades Fire.

There is no impact currently to the city of Beverly Hills, but winds may carry the smoke closer to the area. The Beverly Hills Fire Department remains vigilant and is actively monitoring the situation.

Safety Tips:

-Check your emergency kits and ensure they are ready with essentials: water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, and important documents.
-Stay indoors if you smell smoke or see ash in the air.
-Follow evacuation orders if issued.
-Keep your gas tank half full and cars facing out on the driveway.

The National Weather Service Southern California has issued a High Wind Warning for Tuesday, January 7 from 4 p.m. through 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8.

What You Need to Know:

-High winds are expected, with gusts up to 60 mph.
-Use caution if you must drive.
-Damaging winds could blow down trees.
-Widespread power outages are possible.
-Avoid outdoor burning, grilling, or any activity that could start a fire.
-Secure outdoor furniture, trash cans, and anything that could be blown around.
-Stay indoors, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows.
-Ensure you have flashlights and batteries ready.
-Sign up for Emergency Alerts by texting “BEVHILLS” and “ALERTBH” to 888777.

For power outage information, visit www.sce.com/outage-center/check-outage-status or call SCE at 800-611-1911. For any questions, call our askBH team at (310) 285-1000.

By Trevor

TOPANGA CANYON/MALIBU—On Tuesday, January 7, the LASD posted on its Facebook page a Resident Only Closure as a result of anticipated extreme weather and wind conditions.

It is in effect for Topanga Canyon Boulevard to ensure safety and facilitate easier evacuations if needed. The closures are at the following locations:

1. Topanga Canyon Blvd / Mulholland Dr (closed southbound)
2. Old Topanga Canyon Rd / Mulholland Hwy (closed southbound)
3. Topanga Canyon Blvd / Pacific Coast Hwy (closed northbound)

To learn more visit: https://tcep.org/emergencystatus.

A dangerous windstorm is expected from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning, bringing extreme fire weather conditions. Individuals are advised to:

-Stay indoors & away from windows

-Prepare for possible power outages

-Expect scattered downed trees

-Extreme fire risk – be extra cautious around any ignition sources

As a result of the weather threat, all Malibu schools are closed Tuesday due to dangerous weather conditions. Santa Monica schools are open. Life-threatening, hurricane-strength winds expected in Malibu through Wednesday, January 8 with 50 – 80 mph, gusts up to 100 mph, that can bring down trees, power lines and poles, damage structures, and knock over vehicles.

Wind will be strongest from 10 a.m. on Tues – 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The National Weather Service considers this an unprecedented, historic, hurricane-strength wind event, and advises the public to stay indoors, in the first floors of structures, away from windows and trees, and off the roads. Bring outdoor furniture indoors. Park vehicles away from trees. Adjust travel plans.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On Sunday, December 15, the city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page that Southern California Edison (SCE) issued a PSPS Alert for high winds and fire conditions forecasted from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. This may result in temporary power outages to reduce wildfire risk.

If power is shut off, restoration typically takes 8 hours but may be delayed if daylight is needed for safe inspections. Areas that can be impacted include circuits in Malibu, including Cuthbert, Maguire, Merlin, and Serra, are under monitoring.

In the event of a power outage, remember to avoid downed power lines and call 911 to report them.

Residents are encouraged to charge devices, gather flashlights and batteries, and stock up on essential supplies ahead of time. To find updates visit: www.sce.com/psps for updates or call SCE at 800-611-1911.

For Alerts in Multiple Languages: Visit https://www.sce.com/PSPSInitial. For Alerts in ASL: Visit https://ahas.sce.com/?id=psps1.

The city is aware that residents are concerns about communication and access to information during power outages.

“We are working closely with our public safety partners to monitor this situation and will provide updates as needed,” the city of Malibu indicated in a statement on Facebook.

By Trevor

MALIBU—The National Weather Service forecasts that a storm would impact Southern California, bringing heavy rain, high winds, hazardous road, beach and sea conditions, possible power outages Sunday, August 20 through evening Monday, August 21. Hurricane Hillary is moving up the coast from Baja toward LA County, and weakened to a Tropical Storm by the time it made landfall on Sunday.

The NWS issued a flood watch for LA County, including Malibu, Sunday afternoon through Monday evening. Rainfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour are possible, with 1-4 inches total. Winds were between 30-50 mph in the region.

The public was warned about heavy rain, strong wind, hazardous road conditions with flooding, mud, water and rocks in the road impacting low visibility.

Be prepared for potential flooding of creeks and low-lying and flood-prone locations, hazardous beach and ocean conditions due to beach erosion, rip currents, storm debris in the water, heavy surf and rough waters. Stay off jetties and rocks. People should stay off the beaches and out of the water, as it may be very hazardous, and stay off trails which could be hazardous due to flooding, muddy slippery terrain and rockfalls.

Sign up for alerts from the City www.malibucity.org/news (scroll down to “Alert Center”). Sign up for alerts from LA County (Fire and Sheriff’s Depts) www.Ready.LACounty.gov/Alerts.

The public was informed to secure loose items in their yards and ensure all drains on one’s property are clear (including rain gutters). The public was informed to preepare for power outages, check flashlights and batteries and backup power sources and protect refrigerated food by moving some items to the freezer and getting ice for ice chests. Property owners were informed to take pictures of your property to document the condition before the storm. Storm preparedness tips can be found in the City’s Emergency Survival Guide (p. 74) at www.malibucity.org/survivalguide.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) recommends avoiding contact with ocean within 72 hours of significant rainfall, especially near discharging creeks and stormdrains, due to high levels of bacteria and pollutants from storm runoff.

City and County Public Works crews and Caltrans are coordinating, and will be monitoring PCH and canyon roads in Malibu for hazards, using bladetrucks to keep the roadways clear, clearing drainage, and pre-placing equipment.

The Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station had additional staff, the LA County Fire Department augmented staffing with extra lifeguards on duty, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) and had their Swift Water Rescue Team on hand, and the American Red Cross is on standby.

Monitor weather and emergency information on local news. During power outages, use battery, solar, hand crank or car radios, which will operate: 99.1 FM KBUU, 1070 AM KNX. Monitor weather conditions at https://www.weather.gov/lox. Sign up for weather, beach or emergency alerts via text or email from the City of Malibu at www.malibucity.org/news (scroll down to “Alert Center”).

All current city alerts will be posted on the website: http://www.malibucity.org/Alerts. All emergency information will be posted on the website http://www.malibucity.org and on social media: http://www.facebook.com/CityofMalibu, http://www.twitter.com/CityMalibu and http://www.instagram.com/cityofmalibu. Follow Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station on social media at https://twitter.com/LHSLASD. Sign up for emergency alerts from LA County (includes Fire and Sheriff’s Depts) www.Ready.LACounty.gov/Alerts.

By Trevor