High wind warning issued for Redlands through Saturday
Santa Ana winds could bring gusts up to 65 mph and cause power outages. Here's what residents should know about potential power shutoffs.
REDLANDS, Calif. — Redlands is under a high wind warning through Saturday, Oct. 17, as strong Santa Ana winds move across Southern California, raising concerns about downed power lines and outages.
The National Weather Service issued the warning for the Inland Empire beginning Thursday morning. Northeast winds of 25 to 35 mph are expected Thursday and Friday, with gusts reaching 55 to 65 mph in parts of the region.
The strongest winds are expected Friday, with conditions gradually improving Saturday. The warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday.
The National Weather Service warns that damaging winds could knock down trees and power lines, causing outages.
As of Thursday afternoon, Southern California Edison had not listed the Inland Empire among areas being considered for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), according to the utility's online dashboard. The areas currently identified are primarily in Southern California's coastal counties, where red flag warnings are in effect.
However, residents should be aware that power outages can still occur because of wind-related damage, even when preventive shutoffs are not planned.
How to check for potential power shutoffs
A Public Safety Power Shutoff is a preventive measure used during dangerous wildfire conditions. SCE considers factors including high winds, low humidity, dry vegetation and fire risks associated with electrical equipment before deciding whether to temporarily turn off power.
Residents can check whether their neighborhood is being considered for a shutoff using SCE's online tools:
- SCE Outage Center: Check current power outages and whether an area is under consideration for a Public Safety Power Shutoff.
- PSPS Weather Dashboard: View weather conditions that could lead to shutoffs up to seven days in advance.
- Sign up for PSPS alerts: Register to receive notifications about potential shutoffs affecting a specific address.
A high wind warning does not automatically mean electricity will be shut off. SCE evaluates weather conditions, wildfire risks and the potential impact on electrical equipment before determining whether a shutoff is necessary.
Residents can follow the latest weather alerts from the National Weather Service and check SCE's outage information as conditions change.
