Public is Reminded to Stay Away from Downed Power Lines and Immediately Report Downed Lines to 9-1-1
LOS ANGELES (DECEMBER 23, 2025) – Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) crews are prepared and ready to respond to potential power outages as another heavy rainstorm moves its way through the city beginning tonight through Friday. The Department will continue to monitor the forecast closely and have additional crews available for storm response efforts, if needed. Customers are encouraged to stay informed and prepared as conditions develop.
As a reminder, LADWP urges members of the public to take extreme caution in instances where downed or dangling wires and power poles are present. If you see a downed wire, always assume it is live, stay away, and immediately report it by calling 9-1-1. Also stay away from puddles in areas where you see downed wires. Coming in contact with electrified equipment can cause potentially life-threatening injuries.
During rainstorms, dried, brittle tree branches and trees can topple onto power lines and equipment from soaking up an excess amount of moisture. When that occurs, a crew’s first responsibility is to secure the affected area to protect the public from safety hazards, followed by the removal of trees entangling LADWP power poles and power lines before repair work can even begin. As a result, restoration can take some time.
Outages may also occur if rain seeps into underground electrical vaults, causing damage to distribution equipment. Vaults are designed to be waterproof but water can enter the vaults when there is localized flooding.
Additionally, areas impacted by the fires from earlier this year are more susceptible to unpredictable mudflow events. The severity of mudflows will depend on the volume and duration of the rainstorm event.
Here are some tips from our partners at LA County to be prepared for mudflows.
With the potential of mudflow, LADWP has implemented preventative measures across our water and power infrastructure citywide, with additional safety measures applied in the Pacific Palisades area, where heavy rain can pose added risks. Crews have implemented measures that include, but are not limited to:
- Around-the-clock crew response to the field for outage restoration;
- Temporary safety roadside barriers to divert water flows;
- Erosion control around LADWP’s water infrastructure to help stabilize the ground;
- Crews will be filling/topping off reservoirs and tanks and topping off fuel levels for emergency backup equipment at pump stations and treatment stations in the event of power outages
LADWP crews have been on-site at and around the Santa Ynez Reservoir property since December 20th removing soil and debris from storm basins and the creek bed in preparation for the anticipated rainfall. This work is unrelated to the reservoir’s operation and planned cover replacement next year.
Here are additional safety tips from our City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department to be mindful of during wet weather, such as preparing your vehicle for safe driving.
If power does go out:
- Report outages online and track crew status at LADWP.com/Outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397).
- Switch off all lights except one so you know when power is restored.
- Stay calm and assess your surroundings.
Follow LADWP via X (@ladwp) and NextDoor, as well as visit LADWP’s newsroom at www.ladwpnews.com for potential outage information and updates.
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