Strong Santa Ana wind conditions caused a number of power outages in Malibu on Monday, Oct. 15, resulting in widespread traffic signal outages that jammed traffic on Pacific Coast Highway. At one point, around 1 p.m., an estimated 4,968 Southern California Edison customers were without power inside Malibu city limits.
According to the National Weather Service, Malibu Hills received wind gusts of up to 46 miles per hour early Monday morning. On Tuesday morning, the speed was down to 35 miles per hour. A Red Flag Warning and High Wind Advisory were issued for Malibu through Tuesday night.
Many residents were concerned the power outages were part of the controversial Public Safety Power Shutoff plan, approved by the California Utilities Public Commission in July. The plan was enacted to help reduce fire danger in high-risk areas, according to SCE Vice President for Government Relations Carolyn Choi.
A City of Malibu alert sent Monday morning stated “SCE Monitoring Malibu for possible Public Safety Power Shutoff.” That alert would serve as warning should the power company choose to cut power. By Tuesday morning, SCE officially confirmed to the City of Malibu winds had died down enough that Edison would no longer be considering Malibu for a power shut-off at that time.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District faced trouble as well—the power was out at a few Malibu schools including Malibu High School and Juan Cabrillo Elementary, and power was limited at Santa Monica High School and the district’s office.
Pepperdine University faced power outages as well, but following class cancellations midday, afternoon classes resumed at 3 p.m.
In a letter to CPUC in July after the new policy was announced, SMMUSD Facilities Manager Carey Upton wrote, “Having all of the traffic lights and street lights out would essentially close the PCH.”
While the signal outage did not close Pacific Coast Highway, it did cause major delays along the road at key intersections including at Topanga, Las Flores, Rambla Pacifico, Carbon Canyon, Malibu Pier, Cross Creek, Webb Way, Malibu Canyon and John Tyler.
It is not yet clear if local property was damaged due to Monday’s weather conditions. Wildlife Road, from Zumirez to Fernhill drives, was closed for a short period of time due to a downed tree. City of Malibu shared on its social media that the Malibu Community Pool was under repairs on Tuesday due to the weather, though SMMUSD spokesperson Gail Pinsker stated this was not the case, and that the pool had reopened as of Tuesday afternoon.
While Southern California Edison did not enact its PSPS plan this week, Pacific Gas & Electric shut off power to counties in Northern California, including Napa and Sonoma, due to the wildfire risk starting Sunday night, Oct. 14. San Diego Gas & Electric also did the same to customers residing near Cleveland National Forest as a preemptive measure.
According to a City of Malibu alert, traffic signals on PCH were fully functional by 9 a.m. on Oct. 16.