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SAN DIEGO — A major power outage hit San Diego County, Imperial County and parts of Orange County Thursday, leaving residents throughout the region without power.

The outage knocked out power at the Fox 5 studios at about 3:40 p.m.

San Diego Gas and Electric officials were scrambling to find out the cause of the outage. They said they would have a news conference when they have more information. The utility used Twitter to send the following message: “We understand power is out, we are working on the cause and solution. We do not have a restoration time yet”

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that its substations all over the county were without power. In addition, viewers from Chula Vista in the south to Oceanside in the north and as far east as Alpine called Fox 5 to report they were without power.
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Fox 5 Facebook fans report that the outage has also affected Tijuana and parts of Orange County.

KTLA, Fox 5’s sister station in Los Angeles, reports that parts of Orange County are without power, but Los Angeles has not been affected.

Authorities said power was out in El Centro in Imperial County. KSWT-TV reported that power was out in Yuma, Ariz., although Phoenix had power.

http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/kswb-massive-power-outage-hits-county-20110908,0,6894078.story

The regional power went out in much of the Southwest, (not just San Diego) including parts of Riverside, San Bernardino, even into Baja California. I had to bring out the emergency equipment. Had the hand-crank radio going in the garage and the clueless neighbors came over to hear what was happening. Guess my preparations about emergencies were not so paranoid after all. They were very grateful to have some news.

Many were gathered around my radio wondering what they should do. I told them to go home and get their lighting and potable water stuff going before sunset, and that I would designate one guy to inform the block about developments.

A couple of neighbor guys started freaking out and ask if I or others on the street had weapons. I said unless this is a multi-day event, we are pretty much safe down here, so don't worry other than having water.

They didn't like the answer and asked again. I said no (as the 870 buck sat behind me) and I asked do you? They said no and then asked what to do if this were long term and the looters headed south to our area ? Told them, go home and I'd let them know as things developed.

Lesson: Even when small shit hits the fan in an upscale community, the unprepared want stuff or at least leadership. Funny that one of these guys is an Obama supporter and a whiny liberal that has lived here as long as I, and we never talk. BUT, knowing I'm ex-military; ex-long-haired Harley rider; loner; and rock n roller, he looks to me for help. The guy is at least 6'2".

On the up side, my next door neighbor and I spent most of the blackout talking about which arms to use and where to position them.

Of course, it never got that bad because the blackout didn't reach up to North Orange County (barrio country), much less Los Angeles. If it had, it would have been a bigger learning experience.

Being the hottest day of the year, just hope no old folks suffered or died.