Lights out!

[+ deej]

All of San Diego, as far north as the Coachella valley (Palm Springs area), as far east as Arizona, and as far south as Northern Mexico are without power this evening.

 

1.9 million households likely won't have electricity (or A/C) until some time tomorrow. Airports are closed and all flights are cancelled.

 

If you're expecting a visit from an escort from that region this evening (or, really, any time soon), there might be a hitch. Adjust expectations accordingly.

 

If you're in the affected region, stay safe and stay hydrated in the heat! Of course you can't read this, so never mind.

[rvwnsd]

Parts of the City of San Diego now have power, but San Diego Gas and Electric has warned that power might be unreliable through the weekend. Many areas are under orders to boil their drinking water. Thankfully, the heat and humidity broke just as the power went out. So far, no reports of looting or vandalism. Incoming flights that terminated at Lindbergh Field (SD International Airport) were landing, but flights that were continuing on to another destination were diverted.

 

On the plus side, it was very easy to see The Big Dipper with all the lights off.

[KMEM]

Is that next to the Big Bopper? Sorry for the inconvenience but glad that not many were at risk.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[justaguy]

You've got power trouble. Here it's rain, rain, and more rain. I'm in the corridor that's tracking the remains of Lee through the DC area and we've had several inches of drip to downpour in the last few days. Luckily no trees have fallen. They say it's about to end. I'm about ready to build an arc.

[rvwnsd]

You've got power trouble. Here it's rain, rain, and more rain. I'm in the corridor that's tracking the remains of Lee through the DC area and we've had several inches of drip to downpour in the last few days. Luckily no trees have fallen. They say it's about to end. I'm about ready to build an arc.

 

It was fun to separate the native San Diegans from those of us who have lived elsewhere. The natives couldn't believe this was happening and had never experienced ANYTHING like this before. I grew up in Chicago, where the power would go out whenever there was a heavy thunderstorm. We had flashlights everywhere and mom had special candles just for the occasion. Neighbors have laughed at me for having a big flashlight next to my front door. They were not laughing yesterday.

[Steven_Draker]

I'm about ready to build an arc.

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TTKdst0hnBE/SZ0t7Pi7SrI/AAAAAAAAAfs/FfWI2yAbSTk/s400/noahs_ark_the_beginning_102925.jpg

 

[Phil_musc]

Thank you, Steven! Made me laugh.

[zeferrelli]

love it steven!

[JT Brooklyn]

Unless your rolling around in bed with a Major Hunk.."There is No such place as Paradise"!

[leigh.bess.toad]

Obviously, this was a major topic of conversation at my company today (I work for the electric company who had their own issues in the last week or two with 1.2 million people out). My sympathy goes out to the one, two or three guys who will eventually be scapegoated for doing this. this was no renegade technician out in the field just pulling one bad piece of monitoring equipment on a whim. Approvals to do the work had to involve quite a few people. Switching orders had to be submitted and reviewed by numerous people.

 

Hello Arizona Public Service? I'd like you to introduce you to your new best friend: FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission). Trust me. You are about to be FERCed.

[justaguy]

grrr…nasty little homonyms…grumble, grumble, grumble

 

Steven, thanks for the laugh. Always appreciated.

[rvwnsd]

...My sympathy goes out to the one, two or three guys who will eventually be scapegoated for doing this. this was no renegade technician out in the field just pulling one bad piece of monitoring equipment on a whim. Approvals to do the work had to involve quite a few people. Switching orders had to be submitted and reviewed by numerous people...

 

The local San Diego media and San Diego Gas & Electric have done a good job of not demonizing the technician who allegedly started the chain of events that precipitated the blackout. I haven't heard the terms "renegade" or "rogue" used. They have reported that the incident should have been contained to the Yuma, AZ area and are working with Arizona Public Service and the Independent System Operator to determine how the problem spread. I don't watch the network news (I stick to NPR, less screaming and fewer anchors using the voice of God) so I don't know what the bloviators have said.

 

I have to hand it to SDG&E...they posted regular updates via Twitter and raced to get the power back on. Their initial estimate, based on a recent simulation exercise and their internal policy manuals, was sometime September 10. They restored virtually all power by 3:00 AM September 9. Mine was on before 11 PM (was one of the first 50K customers).

 

Here's an interesting tidbit: at least one local Target store remained open because they have their own generator. A friend who had spent all day in the hospital with her mother went to Target, bought a sift drink, enjoyed some AC and even got cash back with her debit card. Can't say whether Wal-Mart stores were open, but the supermarkets, 7-11s, and gas stations were all closed.

[+ deej]

I haven't noticed any scapegoating going on.

 

SDG&E definitely gets kudos for getting information out as quickly as possible considering they were in the middle of it. Their emergency plans are clearly well thought out and well implemented. This bodes well for "the big one" (or when a Pacific hurricane slams SD, which is also overdue).

 

The news today seems to be focused completely on the effects rather than on culprits. That generally means there isn't much of a culprit to be found.