Community Update

As we brace for another stretch of gusty and dry wind conditions, I want to take a moment to reach out with important updates and a reminder to stay prepared and informed. Ventura County is facing increased fire danger due to persistent low humidity and high winds, with a RED FLAG WARNING in effect through Wednesday, January 15.

Key Weather Forecast Details:

• Santa Ana winds will impact our region starting today, January 13, through Wednesday, January 15.
• Winds of 20-30 mph with gusts ranging from 40-50 mph are expected, peaking early Tuesday morning and continuing into Tuesday night.
• Relative humidity will remain low at 10%-20%, with minimal overnight improvement.

For the latest updates on weather conditions, please visit the National Weather Service.

Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)

Southern California Edison (SCE) is actively monitoring 54 circuits in Ventura County for potential de-energization due to the elevated fire risk. The PSPS period of concern begins today, January 13, at 9:00 AM, and may last through Wednesday, January 15, at 12:00 PM.

I understand the challenges these outages pose to our community. As your representative, I continually advocate for SCE to minimize the duration and scope of these power shutoffs while ensuring the safety of our region. If you have concerns about PSPS events, I encourage you to share your feedback with the California Public Utilities Commission.

Additionally, I am introducing a board letter at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors Meeting to explore the feasibility of establishing a nonprofit public utility for Ventura County. My goal is to ensure greater control and reliability of our power supply.

Support for Residents

If you have experienced food spoilage due to a PSPS event, Southern California Edison accepts claims for reimbursement. Here’s how to file a claim:

1. Prepare an itemized list of spoiled food, including receipts or cost documentation.
2. Complete an online claim form on the SCE Claims website.
3. Be ready to describe steps taken to mitigate losses, such as using ice or alternative storage methods. For assistance, contact SCE’s disaster support line at 1-800-251-3311.

Advocating for Ventura County

The California Governor recently announced efforts to streamline rebuilding in areas affected by wildfires in Los Angeles County. I am actively advocating for the Governor to provide similar measures to benefit Ventura County, ensuring that we have the resources and policies needed to recover and thrive after the devastation of the Mountain Fire.

Be Prepared

In times like these, preparation is vital. Please take steps to secure your homes, gather emergency supplies, and check on your neighbors—especially those who may need extra support. For tips on preparing for high fire danger and outages, visit Ready Ventura County.

Together, we can navigate these challenging conditions with resilience and care for one another. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe. Please stay informed of local conditions at VCEMERGENCY.COM.

Stay Safe,

Jeff

Supervisor Jeff Gorell, District 2

SupervisorGorell@ventura.org

A community-driven utility could offer more reliable, affordable, and accountable energy services by prioritizing the needs of residents over corporate profits. As part of this proposal, I am asking County staff to evaluate case studies from other communities, legal and regulatory requirements, and potential cost savings and service improvements for residents and businesses. I’m also recommending that we consider partnerships with experienced consulting firms and explore opportunities for public-private collaboration to ensure a smooth transition if we decide to move forward.

This is a bold step, but it’s not a new thing, it’s in place in many communities throughout California and it’s a step that puts our community first. I look forward to discussing this proposal with my colleagues and hearing feedback from residents. If you have questions or want to share your thoughts, please reach out to me at SupervisorGorell@ventura.org. Together, we can work toward a stronger, more reliable energy future for Ventura County.

The Board of Supervisors meeting will take place on January 14, 2025 at 8:30 AM at the Hall of Administration at 800 S. Victoria Ave in Ventura. Read the full agenda and access the livestream here.

Read the full Board Letter here.

An evacuation warning signals that there’s a potential danger to your life or property. Consider it a heads-up that an evacuation order may follow.

Use this time wisely:

• Gather important items for your family and pets.
• If you or anyone in your household needs extra time to evacuate, or if you have large animals, it’s best to pack up and leave immediately when a warning is issued.

Evacuation Order

An evacuation order indicates an immediate and serious threat to your safety. You must leave right away. Your quick response can make all the difference. Follow all instructions from law enforcement to ensure you and your loved ones evacuate safely.

Learn more from Cal OES

? Stay Informed:

• Emergency Alerts: If you haven’t yet registered for emergency alerts, now is the time. Visit VCALERT.ORG to sign up today.
• Emergency Updates: Stay up to date on all emergency information at VCEMERGENCY.COM. This site also provides links to updates for neighboring counties.

?? Be Prepared:

Take this opportunity to review your emergency preparedness plans. Helpful information and resources can be found at ReadyVenturaCounty.org.

? Power Outages:

• SCE Outage Map
• For updates on affected circuits, visit the Incident Dashboard.

? Additional Resources:

• Follow weather forecasts through the National Weather Service.
• Review local fire department recommendations for fire prevention and safety at ReadySetGo.
• Do you need support with food, shelter or other services? Please call 2-1-1.
• Food Share Ventura County also offers food pop ups throughout the County. Find a location near you at Foodshare.com.