LOS ANGELES (MARCH 11, 2025) – Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) crews are prepared to respond and report to the field around the clock as rainstorms move through the Los Angeles County area Tuesday through Thursday and potentially into next week. The Department will continue to monitor the storms closely and have additional personnel available for storm response.
During rainstorms, the soil can become oversaturated by the rain, causing it to loosen and uproot trees which can topple onto power lines and result in power outages. When these instances occur, a power 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 wires. Only after this is done can crews begin to conduct repair work and restore power.
LADWP also reminds customers to use caution around any downed or dangling wires or fallen poles, especially near standing water. If you see a downed wire, always assume it is live and stay away. Do not assume a downed wire is a communication line. Never touch any wire that is down or dangling and immediately dial 9-1-1.
With more impactful rainstorms, flooding and water intrusion into underground electrical vaults may also occur, resulting in power outages. When the affected equipment is underground, crews must go from vault to vault to locate the source of the damage before repairs can take place, which can also take time.
Additionally, areas impacted by the recent fires are more susceptible to unpredictable mudflow events. The severity of mudflows will depend on the volume and duration of the rainstorm event. With the potential of mudflow, LADWP has implemented preventative measures around our water and power infrastructure in anticipation of the rainstorm. Crews are prepared to implement 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
As Angelenos brace themselves for the ongoing rain, LADWP recommends customers take the following steps:
- Keep a flashlight and extra batteries nearby.
- Never use candles in a power outage or other emergency, as it is a fire risk!
- Keep your cellphone and battery packs fully charged.
- Sign up for outage alerts at ladwp.com/OutageAlert
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 for one, so you will know when your power has been restored.
- Keep your refrigerator closed to keep food cold.
- Check on vulnerable friends and neighbors to make sure they are safe.
Here are some additional tips from our partners at LA County to be prepared for mudflows.
Follow LADWP via X (@ladwp), NextDoor and visit LADWP’s newsroom for potential outage information and updates.
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