After the National Weather Service announced a destructive High Wind Watch and a Fire Weather Watch for parts of Los Angeles City on Monday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass mobilized City departments to urgently prepare for the coming storm to ensure the safety of all Angelenos. Today, Mayor Bass and City departments are announcing preparedness measures the City is taking for winds including activating the Emergency Operations Center to a Level 2. Angelenos are urged to stay vigilant and utilize city resources to stay safe.
According to the National Weather Service, the wind event is expected to take place from Tuesday, January 7th until Wednesday, January 8th, with strongest winds expected Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday, and reduced winds continuing into Thursday. The locations of greatest concern include the Santa Monica Mountains and Foothills, the San Fernando Valley, Burbank, Hollywood, Sylmar and Porter Ranch.
Resources And Helpful Information For Angelenos:
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In the event of a life-threatening emergency, Angelenos should call 9-1-1.
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In the event of power outages, Angelenos are urged to report outages online and track crew status at www.ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397).
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For impacts like tree limbs blocking roads, Angelenos should request service through www.lacity.gov/myla311 or by calling 3-1-1. Angelenos can also download the MyLA311 app.
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Local weather updates provided by the National Weather Service can be found here or at weather.gov.
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Red Flag Parking Restrictions have been in effect in the City’s Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones since 8:00 AM on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Parking restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. Check lafd.org/redflag for Red Flag Warning updates.
How the City of Los Angeles is Preparing For This Storm:
Preparing City Communications To Meet Potential Increased Need:
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311 will be expanding its operating hours starting Tuesday at 7:00 AM and going all the way through 7:00 PM on Wednesday. 311 will also be providing public information updates about the wind storm as it progresses. Calls related to the storm will be tracked.
How Los Angeles Is Preparing To Address Potential Power Outages:
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Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) electric crews are prepared to respond to any potential power outages that may occur as the first forecasted high windstorm of the year is expected to bring damaging winds of 50-80 miles-per-hour for much of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties starting Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday.
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Strong winds can knock over trees, or cause branches and palm fronds to strike power lines which could result in power outages. If that occurs, a crew’s first responsibility is to secure the affected area to protect the public from safety hazards posed by downed trees and power lines, followed by the removal of trees entangling LADWP power poles and power lines. Only after this is done can crews begin repair work to restore power.
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LADWP will regularly share outage information via its newsroom, Twitter (@LADWP) and NextDoor online platforms that inform affected neighborhoods on the status of their outage.
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Customers are also encouraged to sign up for outage alerts available in English and Spanish at www.ladwp.com/outages.
What Angelenos Should Do If Their Power Goes Out:
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Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) encourages customers to be prepared for a power outage and to stay safe by following the tips below:
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Never touch a downed power line! If you see a downed wire, stay away and call 911.
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Keep a flashlight and extra batteries nearby. Never use candles in a power outage or other emergency.
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Keep a fully charged cell phone on hand. If your power goes out or there are outages in your neighborhood, you may lose phone service and your cordless “landline” may also lose power. Extra portable cell phone batteries are very helpful in the event of an outage.
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If your power goes out:
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Report outages online and track crew status at www.ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397).
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Sign up for outage alerts at www.ladwp.com/outagealert.
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Switch off all lights, except for one, so you will know when your power has been restored.
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Keep your refrigerator closed to keep food cold for longer.
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Check on vulnerable friends and neighbors to make sure they are safe.
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Preparations Made By The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD):
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LAFD has established an elevated posture from Tuesday at 8:00 AM through Friday at 8:00 AM.
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LAFD will pre-deploy resources and augment staffing.
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A five-engine strike team (comprising Cal OES Type III Wildland Fire Engines) and three three-engine task forces (totaling 14 fire engines) will be pre-deployed at select Neighborhood Fire Stations in-and-near areas prone to wildfire.
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Additional staffing will be hired for Air Operations, Water Tenders and Metro Fire Communications. Teams are prepared to ensure targeted responses across the city.
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Red Flag Parking Restrictions have been in effect in the City’s Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones since 8:00 AM on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Parking restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. Check lafd.org/redflag for Red Flag Warning updates.
Preparations Made By The Los Angeles Police Department:
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The Los Angeles Police Department is ready to ensure that calls for service are handled and to provide support should any evacuation be needed.
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Each patrol division will be providing checks of critical infrastructure for fire and wind damage.
Preparing To Address Road Impacts:
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The Bureau of Street Services, also known as StreetsLA, will have emergency trucks available citywide. StreetsLA will also make additional staff available to respond as needed.
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StreetsLA’s Urban Forestry Division is prepared and ready to be deployed for emergency response and removal of tree debris.
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Announcements involving significant road closures or transportation impacts will be updated at ladot.lacity.org/dotnews.
Preparing to Address Potential Building and Safety Issues:
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The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety will work closely with the Emergency Management Department to perform assessments of any damages caused by the storm.
Assisting the Unhoused During this Emergency:
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The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has been conducting outreach to individuals living on the streets in high fire severity zones since Friday, January 3rd, and will continue to do so in the coming days.
Preparing For Impacts on City-Run Pools and Parks:
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Parks will operate under normal hours. You can check the list here.
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Maintenance Teams have completed brush clearance to reduce fire hazards.
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The Forestry Division is on standby and ready to mobilize for any fallen trees in the parks system.
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The Construction Division is prepared to address any damages associated with the storm. Staff will monitor, report, and document any damages caused by the storm.
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The Maintenance Division is mitigating areas that have been identified as high risk of flooding in the parks system and will be on standby.
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Child Care Center hours will be updated here, and Senior Center hours will be updated here.
Preparing For Impacts on Public Libraries:
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Libraries will operate under normal hours. Angelenos can visit lapl.org/branches for updated hours.
Preparing for Impacts at Los Angeles World Airports:
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LAWA does not anticipate impacts to operations at LAX and Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
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As always, passengers are encouraged to check with their airline to confirm flight status before departing for LAX, and allow for enough travel time to the airport.
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For additional information or updates, visit flylax.com.
Preparing For Impacts At The Port of Los Angeles:
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Port of Los Angeles officials have been in contact with marine terminals, waterfront labor and other local stakeholders to make sure they are aware of, and prepared for, storm conditions. Public and worker safety is top priority.
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Long-established protocols are in place with Los Angeles Port Pilots, the Marine Exchange of Southern California, and others to protect vessels if high winds become a factor.
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Los Angeles Port Police are prepared to work closely with Port tenants, the U.S. Coast Guard Long Beach sector, and other local law enforcement, maritime fire, and emergency management agency partners in maintaining a readiness posture to respond to a climate emergency.
Preparing For Impacts At The Los Angeles Zoo:
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Out of an abundance of caution, the Zoo is closed on Tuesday, January 7. The Zoo will continuously monitor the weather and the conditions on campus to ensure the safety of guests, staff, and animals.
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Any adjustments to Zoo operations will be updated in real-time for the public on the Zoo’s website at www.lazoo.org.
