One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Long Beach power outage continues third day in a row
Smoke coming out of a manhole in Long Beach on Wednesday, July 15, 2015.
(
NBC L.A.
)
A power outage that followed an electrical fire in downtown Long Beach Wednesday persisted into Friday morning, leading to further street closures and limiting access to the 710 Freeway.
Southern California Edison crews who worked to restore power to the area Thursday night were unsuccessful, according to an advisory by the Long Beach Police Department. Nearly 3,500 customers remained without power Friday morning, reported KTLA 5.
Those suffering losses from the outage, like businesses with spoiling food in their freezers, can file a claim with SCE, company spokesman Robert Laffoon Villegas told KNX 1070.
The city of Long Beach tweeted:
Several roads were closed Friday due to work by Edison crews, according to the Long Beach Police Department. They include:
Sponsored message
- 3rd Street, from Chestnut Avenue to Magnolia Avenue
- 6th Street, from Pine Avenue to Locust Avenue
- Locust Avenue, from 6th Street to 7th Street
- Locust Avenue, from 7th Street to 8th Street
Several on- and off-ramps for the 710 Freeway were also being affected by the work, according to LBPD:
- Northbound 710 closed at 3rd Street onramp. Use Ocean Boulevard and 7th Street for northbound access.
- Southbound 710 off ramps closed at Broadway and 6th Street. Use Anaheim Street or Shoreline Drive.
“We advise commuters to allow for additional time as they travel in the greater Downtown area due to intermittently operating traffic signals,” said Deputy City Manager Arturo Sanchez in a statement. “Please drive with caution throughout all intersections."
Long Beach police offered the following safety tips for weathering a blackout:
- Intersections may be affected. Remember intersections without power (blacked-out) must be treated as a 4-way stop.
- Use flashlights instead of candles and never leave candles burning unattended
- Use stairways instead of elevators which could potentially trap occupants
- Use extreme caution while driving and be sure to keep an eye out for pedestrians
- Use a flashlight when walking for better visibility and do not wear dark clothing
- Remember that intersections without power must be treated as a four-way stop
- If you must drive within the affected area, leave early for your destination to allow for delays
This story has been updated.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
