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POWER OUTAGE TIPS, RESOURCES, AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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| Dear Santa Paula Resident,
Due to strong winds and heightened wildfire conditions, the City of Santa Paula is experiencing weather-related power outages and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). We want to ensure our community stays safe and informed during this time. Below are essential tips, resources, and important updates to help you navigate these conditions.
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National Weather Service Update
The National Weather Service is continuing to forecast hazardous weather conditions with a Red Flag Warning still in effect from January 14 through Wednesday, January 15. Ventura County and nearby areas will experience very strong Santa Ana winds and extreme fire danger. Conditions will be very dry, with humidity between 10–20% (and not much better at night). Because of these dry conditions and strong winds, any new or existing fire could spread very quickly.
- Winds in coastal and valley areas: 25–40 mph
- Winds in mountains and foothills: 30–45 mph
- Peak gusts could reach 45–70 mph (especially on Tuesday).
- Highest wind impact: Tuesday 4 AM – Wednesday 12 PM
- Areas at greatest risk: Simi, Moorpark, South Mountain, Piru, Fillmore, and Santa Paula
Please stay alert and follow safety guidelines or local instructions regarding fire safety and potential evacuations. For more details, visit the National Weather Service website (https://www.weather.gov/lox/).
Southern California Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)
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- Keep freezers and refrigerators closed to maintain cold temperatures.
- Use generators safely–ONLY outdoors and away from windows.
- Do NOT use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
- Disconnect appliances and electronics to prevent damage from surges.
- Have alternate plans for perishables and medications–use a cooler and ice.
For additional power outage safety tips, visit:
www.ready.gov/power-outages#tips |
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POWER OUTAGE DRIVING TIPS
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- SLOW DOWN and drive with caution.
- If a traffic signal is out, treat the intersection as an all-way stop.
- Turn on your headlights to increase visibility.
- Stay alert for pedestrians, cyclists, and workers.
- Watch for emergency vehicles at all times.
- Plan your route in case of closures or detours.
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- No Outdoor Wood-Burning Fires: Refrain from lighting any wood-burning fires outdoors as they can easily spread in windy conditions.
- Smoldering Coals: After you finish cooking, make certain that all coals are completely extinguished and are cold to the touch.
- Avoid Mowing or Trimming Dry Grass When Windy: Operating machinery in these conditions can create sparks, potentially igniting a fire.
- Never Pull Your Vehicle Over in Dry Grass: Hot vehicle parts can ignite dry vegetation.
- Cigarettes: Dispose of cigarettes appropriately.
- Report Suspicious Activities: Be vigilant and report any suspicious activities that could lead to arson. Remember, if you see something, say something!
- Be Prepared for Evacuation: Ensure that you and your family are ready to evacuate if necessary.
- Keep Your Vehicle Ready: Maintain at least a half tank of gas in your car at all times.
- Prepare to Transport Pets: Ensure you have a plan and the necessary supplies to safely transport your pets.
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If you encounter a downed power line:
- Stay far away and call 911 immediately.
- Once you are safe, report it to SCE’s emergency line at 1-800-611-1911.
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Staying Safe in High Winds and Downed Powerlines
The extreme wind conditions that we have experienced over the last two weeks can cause various hazards that everyone should be aware of. These hazards can include broken branches, fallen trees and particularly dangerous downed powerlines.
The best way to stay safe is to follow the recommendations of Southern California Edison. If you encounter a downed wire, assume it is live (still has power), stay at least 100 feet away, and call 911.
You can learn more about how to stay safe around downed powerline at the link below:
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REPORTING DOWNED TREES OR TREE BRANCHES
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| If you notice downed trees or large branches posing a safety hazard or blocking roadways:
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RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MEDICAL OR HEALTH NEEDS
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- Medical Equipment Power Supply: If you rely on electricity-powered medical equipment (such as oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, or ventilators), make sure you have a backup power source (battery backup, generator, etc.) ready.
- Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of doctors, pharmacies, and caregivers in an easily accessible place, along with copies of prescriptions.
- SCE’s Medical Baseline Program: If you have serious medical conditions requiring additional electricity, contact SCE at 1-800-655-4555 or visit sce.com/medicalbaseline to learn more about the Medical Baseline Allowance to request temporary power solutions for medical needs, including battery backups or hotel vouchers for extended outages. This program also provides additional notifications about outages and assistance during PSPS events.
- Local Shelters or Medical Facilities: In a prolonged outage, if you need a place with reliable power for medical reasons, consider staying with a friend or family member outside of the affected area. If that’s not possible, reach out to local shelters, hospitals, or community centers for assistance.
- Local Pharmacies and Healthcare Providers: Many local pharmacies may have the capacity to temporarily store refrigerated medications during power outages. Residents should contact their pharmacist or healthcare provider to explore this option.
- Call 2-1-1: For additional support, resources, and referrals related to medical or other health-related needs during an outage.
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ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES & LOCATIONS
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In response to the ongoing SCE power outage, the following locations are available to provide device charging, information, and basic resources:
- Santa Paula Community Center & Senior Center
(530 W Main St, Santa Paula, CA 93060)
Open: Front Lobby 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. / Senior Center 2pm-6pm
Free Wi-Fi, device charging, and seating are available for residents without power.
- Blanchard Community Library
(119 N 8th St, Santa Paula, CA 93060)
Open: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Another great location to charge devices, access Wi-Fi, and stay comfortable during the outage.
Additional Locations (Open 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.):
- Fillmore Active Adult and Community Center (533 Santa Clara St, Fillmore, CA 93015)
- Courtyard by Marriott (191 Cochran St, Simi Valley, CA 93065)
- Thousand Oaks Inn (75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360)
For more details on resources and updates, visit www.sce.com.
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Sign Up for VC Alert
This state-of-the-art emergency notification system delivers time-sensitive emergency alert in English and Spanish to areas within Ventura County where there is a threat to health and safety.
These messages may include, but are not limited to evacuation warnings or orders, severe weather advisories, community policing incidents, searches for missing at-risk individuals and public health alerts.
VC Alerts can only be sent to locations within Ventura County. To receive alerts by phone, text, email, fax, TTY/TDD device, or numeric page for your home, work or loved one’s location, register by one of the methods below:
Online: www.vcalert.org
Email: vc.alert@ventura.org
Phone: 805-648-9283
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- Stay Away from Downed Lines: Always keep a safe distance and call 911 first.
- VC Emergency: For the most up-to-date incident information, including maps, resource centers, and outage details, visit: www.vcemergency.com
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ADDITIONAL SCE INFORMATION
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- Contact Information:
- Outage-specific customer service: 1-800-611-1911
- Billing and service inquiries: 1-800-684-8123
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Southern California Edison Provides Opportunity to Submit Claims for Food Loss
The prolonged PSPS events may have resulted in food loss for you and your family. Residents who may have experienced loss of food due to spoilage related to the PSPS events may be eligible to file claims with Southern California Edison for the items lost.
For residents who would like to learn more about the process and how to file through Southern California Edison, follow the link below:
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- For further updates, sign-up for community news here:
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- Follow official City of Santa Paula social media channels for real-time alerts and announcements.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
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Public Information Office
pio@spcity.org
970 E Ventura Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060
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