Gusting winds and steady rain caused a number of problems in Orange County Monday, including power outages that hit local cities such as Huntington Beach and Westminster and a traffic accident in Seal Beach, authorities said Monday.
More than 5,200 customers were hit with power outages countywide, according to Southern California Edison.
Huntington Beach and Westminster were among the cities affected. The high number of outages and continuing rainy forecast for the rest of the week prompted SCE officials to remind customers about safety tips such as avoiding downed power lines.
"If you know someone who has medical equipment that requires electricity, make sure they have back-up power available," said SCE Spokesman Paul Klein.
Battery-operated radios and flashlights are a must, and candles are to be avoided because of the fire hazard they pose, he said.
"If you use a generator, put it outdoors and plug in only individual appliances, and use a heavy-duty extension cord," Klein added. "Connecting generators to your house's electrical circuit can cause back-feed, which is dangerous to repair crews."
Motorists should also treat intersections with malfunctioned traffic lights like a stop sign, Klein said.
Also with the rain came a rise in traffic accidents, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP officials estimated the number of collisions on Monday were double what they are on a dry day, but noted that the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday helped keep the number lower than it might have otherwise been.
One of the more serious crashed occurred on the San Diego (405) Freeway in Seal Beach where a motorist had to be cut from their vehicle. There were no fatalities or life-threatening injuries, however.
More than 5,200 customers were hit with power outages countywide, according to Southern California Edison.
Huntington Beach and Westminster were among the cities affected. The high number of outages and continuing rainy forecast for the rest of the week prompted SCE officials to remind customers about safety tips such as avoiding downed power lines.
"If you know someone who has medical equipment that requires electricity, make sure they have back-up power available," said SCE Spokesman Paul Klein.
Battery-operated radios and flashlights are a must, and candles are to be avoided because of the fire hazard they pose, he said.
"If you use a generator, put it outdoors and plug in only individual appliances, and use a heavy-duty extension cord," Klein added. "Connecting generators to your house's electrical circuit can cause back-feed, which is dangerous to repair crews."
Motorists should also treat intersections with malfunctioned traffic lights like a stop sign, Klein said.
Also with the rain came a rise in traffic accidents, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP officials estimated the number of collisions on Monday were double what they are on a dry day, but noted that the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday helped keep the number lower than it might have otherwise been.
One of the more serious crashed occurred on the San Diego (405) Freeway in Seal Beach where a motorist had to be cut from their vehicle. There were no fatalities or life-threatening injuries, however.
everyone needs to get involved