High winds bring down trees, power lines, lead to frigid temperatures in Southern California
A frigid windstorm attacked Southern California on Monday, Feb. 3, generating powerful blasts that knocked down trees and power lines, pushed a big rig over, and had gusts that included around 80 mph in the San Gabriel Mountains and 74 mph at Cal State San Bernardino.
“This is a particularly strong event,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Bruno, explaining that the region was experiencing particularly strong winds because they’re blowing both at and above the surface.
Gusts traveled as fast as 71 mph in Whitewater near the San Gorgonio Pass. In Los Angeles County, winds peaked at 64 mph at Henniger Flats east of Altadena, 61 mph at Whitaker Peak near Castaic and 60 mp at Saddle Peak in the Santa Monica Mountains.
In Riverside, winds pushed over three trees at an apartment complex at 600 Central Ave., smashing a poolside gazebo, damaging at least two apartments, and breaking a water line, firefighters said.
Not surprisingly, power outages were reported around the Los Angeles area overnight. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported 15 outages in Hollywood, the Hollywood Hills, Mid-Wilshire, Pacific Palisades, Valley Village and Mission Hills. Repair crews were dispatched.
In the 4600 block of Jones Avenue in Riverside, a 60-foot eucalyptus tree fell and snagged power lines, downing at least one power pole and a street light, and damaging at least one pickup truck.
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Karen Tobin, who said she has been a Jones Avenue resident since 1976, said it was the fifth tree that has come down in her time there. “The last four trees have wiped out three of my cars,” she said. “So, yeah, I’m kind of over these eucalyptus trees.”
No injuries were reported from the Riverside incidents.
In Fontana, wind gusts blew over a big-rig truck and trailer late morning near the juncture of the 210 and 15 freeways. The California Highway Patrol said the trailer was empty.
The mess blocked at least one connector road lane and the road’s center divider until shortly after 1 p.m., according to Caltrans.
CHP Officer Juan Garcia said the cab was towed away, but the trailer had to remain at the location until the winds died down. There were no injuries.
And throughout the area, there were several CHP calls to remove items from freeway lanes, everything from metal tables to a “large orange container” as winds buffeted vehicles and their cargo.
The northeasterly winds were forecast to go into a lull Monday afternoon before picking up again overnight and into Tuesday, according to the NWS.
The Antelope Valley was being assaulted by a double-whammy Monday morning — high winds and freezing temperatures. A high wind warning was in effect until noon Monday, and a hard freeze watch will be in force from Monday night through Tuesday morning, and again from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning.
The NWS issued a high wind warning in the Antelope Valley, reflecting the presence of winds of 30 to 45 mph, with gusts of 65 mph, while the hard freeze watch was issued as a result of expectations of temperatures in the teens.
“Damaging winds will blow down large objects such as trees and power lines. Power outages are likely,” the NWS warned. “Areas of blowing dust and sand could reduce visibilities … High-profile vehicles, including big rigs, could be blown over by the powerful winds. This will likely be the coldest nights we have seen so far this season.”
The NWS also said the conditions could kill crops, and other sensitive vegetation and cause unprotected pipes to burst in the Antelope Valley and other sections of LA County.
The NWS said at 5 a.m. Monday that powerful gusts were reported in the previous 11 hours, including 80 mph at Warm Springs in the San Gabriels; 59 mph in Palmdale in the Antelope Valley; 57 mph in Santa Clarita; 55 mph at Saddle Peak in the Santa Monicas; 53 mph in Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley; 49 mph at Franklin Canyon along the coast; 39 mph in Catalina; and 38 mph at Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel Valley.
The San Diego NWS office said the highest wind speed for its area was 74 mph at Cal State San Bernardino, at about 5 a.m. Monday.
Forecasters urged area residents to avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches.
“If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive.”
To guard against the cold, area residents were urged to “take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Plan for extra time to defrost vehicle windshields.”
North winds were blowing in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys accompanied by gusts up to 60 mph, while winds of 25-40 mph with gusts of up to 55 mph were recorded in the Santa Monicas. Even more severe conditions were reported in the San Gabriels — northwest winds 30 to 50 mph with gusts of up to 70 mph, and isolated gusts 80 to 90 mph in the hills around the 5 Freeway corridor. Monday night, the wind will change direction, and Santa Anas will begin buffeting the region, Bruno said.
Additionally, the California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert shortly before 2 a.m. Monday for the No. 4 and 5 lanes of the westbound 118 Freeway in Porter Ranch after tree branches fell into lanes and a car was rendered unmovable after hitting them.
In the mountains, only light snow was reported along the 5-Freeway corridor Sunday night, and none Monday morning.
Along the coast, a high surf advisory was in effect until early Monday, and a slightly less serious beach hazards statement will be in force through Tuesday morning in Orange County. Rough, breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet, along with “dangerous rip currents,” are forecast in LA County, while surf of 3 to 5 feet with occasional sets of up to 6 feet are expected in Orange County.
The Los Angeles County health office issued cold weather alerts for the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys, mountain areas, Woodland Hills and Pomona due to wind-chill temperatures expected to dip below 32 degrees.
“Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or special medical needs are especially vulnerable during cold weather. Extra precaution should be taken to ensure they don’t get too cold when they are outside,” said Dr. Muntu Davis. “There are places where people can go to stay warm, such as shelters or other public facilities. We also want to remind people not to use stoves, barbecues or ovens to heat their homes due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
Staff writer Eric Licas contributed to this story.