VIDEO - SCE officials gave a presentation and answered questions from the City Council during the Nov. 30 Council meeting about the recent Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) that cut off power to large parts of Malibu November 24 - 27
Video is available of the presentation given by a representative from Southern California Edison (SCE) to the City Council during the November 30 virtual Council meeting about the Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) that SCE implemented during the Red Flag fire conditions before and during the Thanksgiving holiday to prevent its equipment from starting fires. Watch the video.
Recap of the PSPS events
SCE shut off power on power on five circuits in Malibu for 31 to 44 hours depending on the circuit. For some of the outages, it was unclear exactly when shutoff and re-energization occurred.
Overnight on Thursday, November 25, City Public Works Crews maintained emergency generators overnight to keep traffic signals in operation.
The City posted information about forecast Red Flag fire conditions and the PSPS events using the City's website alert system (via text message and email), Nixle alerts, Nextdoor and social media between November 18 and November 29. The messaging included that residents should be prepared for potential fires, evacuations, power and traffic signal outages, downed tree limbs and powerlines, hazardous driving conditions, debris in the road way, and that residents should monitor emergency and weather updates on local AM and FM radio (which will work with handcrank, solar, battery-powered and car radios if the power is out), and that City would send out emergency alerts as needed and post all emergency information on the website. The messaging also included tips and links about power outage and wildfire preparedness.
City staff was informed that some residents did not receive some or all of the City's alerts during the power outage. Staff examined the issued, and determined that some of this problem resulted from cell service being disabled in some areas of Malibu on more than one cell carrier due to the power outage impacting cell towers and equipment. Some residents were not aware that they had not signed up for the City's website alerts in the "Utility Advisory" category, which was used to send out PSPS power outage updates. To sign up for Utility Alerts, visit the webpage, scroll to "Alert Center," and select "Utility Advisories." (Emergency, Traffic, Weather, Health, and Beach advisories are also available).
City Public Works, Caltrans and SCE crews were patrolling Malibu monitoring for hazards, clearing debris from roadways and working on downed power lines throughout the incident. City staff was on standby, ready to staff the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) if an emergency occurred.
SCE deployed a Community Crew Vehicle to Bluffs Park Thursday, November 25, at 5:45 PM to provide PSPS information, resiliency kits that include battery chargers for mobile phones and on-site charging of phones and medical devices.
SCE RESOURCES
- The SCE Medical Baseline program offers bill-paying assistance for customers who require the regular use of electrically-powered medical equipment. For more information call 211 or visit the website.
- SCE provides hotel discounts for those impacted by a prolonged PSPS. Learn more.
- SCE offers rebates for generators, solar power installation and backup batteries for medical devices. Learn more.
RESIDENTS SHOULD BE PREPARED for power outages whenever high winds are forecast
Malibu residents, businesses, employees and others in the community should be prepared for power and traffic signal outages, downed tree limbs and powerlines, hazardous driving conditions and debris in the road way whenever high winds are forecast. Power outages may be caused by winds, or by a SCE PSPS. Drive with caution, especially on canyon roads. Under California law, always approach an intersection with a malfunctioning traffic signal as if it were an all-way stop sign. See LA County's power outage preparedness guide.
whenEVER red flag fire conditions are forecast, CHECK YOUR PLANS AND SUPPLIES and be ready for fires, evacuations and power outages
Whenever Red Flag fire conditions are forecast (very high winds, low humidity), review your emergency plans, including evacuation routes and reunification locations, and check your emergency supplies for expired batteries, food and medication, including for pets. Keep your vehicle gas tank full. Be sure you know how to manually open your garage door if the power is out. Please check in on neighbors, family and friends who are elderly or disabled to make sure they are prepared and informed. Review the City’s Evacuation Plan, evacuation zones and maps and evacuation terminology (Order, Warning etc.) on the webpage.
During Power Outages and During Red Flag Fire Conditions - Stay Informed, Monitor Weather and Emergency Information
Residents should monitor emergency and weather updates on local AM and FM radio (which will work with handcrank, solar, battery-powered and car radios if the power is out). The City will send out emergency alerts as needed and post all emergency information on the website. All current City alerts are posted on the Alerts webpage. To sign up for alerts from the City via text message or email, visit the Alerts webpage (scroll down to “Alert Center” and select Emergency, Weather, Traffic or Utility advisories). Monitor local weather and fire conditions on the NWS website.