Hurricane-strength winds blast Southern California, knock out power

Hurricane-strength winds blast Southern California, knock out power

A total of 54,000 customers in the San Fernando Valley were without power after Santa Ana winds came blasting through, hitting 89 miles per hour at one point.

Wind gusts reaching hurricane strength at 89 miles per hour blew over trees and power poles in Southern California over the weekend, leaving thousands without power.

More than 54,000 customers in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles had lost power after 3 a.m. on Saturday by the strong winds, which blew over a billboard in Burbank and dropped a huge tree into the kitchen of a Van Nuys residence, according to an Associated Press report.

Another 1,700 residents in Fontana and Ontario east of Los Angeles were without power as well.

A wind gauge in San Diego run by the National Weather Service registered an 89 mph gust at 7:30 a.m., and an 82 mph gust int he Malibu hills that afternoon.

The winds subsided later in the day.

Experts believe the gusts were tied to a high-pressure ridge that brought hot temperatures, including a record-breaking 80 degrees in Newport Beach, which beat its 1990 record. In Laguna Beach and Santa Maria, the temperature was 82 degrees, which both tied records.

Known as the Santa Ana winds, they are created in the cooler months from westward currents that are squeezed through the mountain ranges of Southern California, causing humidity to drop and winds to increase. They can also lead to wildfires.

Authorities issued warnings of high surf of up to 11 feet that was effective through Sunday. Winds blew two kayakers out to sea near Malibu, and they were missing for about an hour before lifeguards were able to track them down and help them back to shore.

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