Widespread Power Outage Hits the Morongo Basin
Outage added to nerves already frayed by Los Angeles fires
By Laura Hauther
A loss of electrical power this afternoon came as a surprise to many in the Morongo Basin as windy conditions are relatively mild in most areas. The widespread power outages were reported from Morongo Valley all the way to Twentynine Palms and Wonder Valley, covering an unusually large area.
SCE media spokesperson Jeff Monford told Desert Trumpet the power shut off in the Morongo Valley was for public safety, but the loss of power in the areas to the east - Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Landers and the rest of the Morongo Basin is still being investigated.
Power returned shortly after 2:00 p.m. in a patchwork of areas. Friendly Hills residents reported power back on while the Joshua Tree Highlands, and Landers waited a bit longer as workers in the field implement fixes.
There are reports of long lines at area gas stations, as the power returns to the pumps in some areas of the Basin, with some making sure their back up gas powered generators are full in case of future power failures.
Be very cautious while driving as some traffic signals are still out, and others are flashing red/green.
Monford said workers on the ground are focused on getting power back on to all areas of the Morongo Basin, so any further information as to the cause of the outage will have to wait until workers have completed the fix.
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So which is it…..Power is cut off for “customer safety “ or is it because a “fix” is needed?
(Twentynine Palms): Another outage this morning (1-9-25) from 9:30 to 11:30. The most aggravating thing is no notice. I am on the outage notification list, as SCE asked, but continue to get no notification. I did get a phone call at 1 this morning to tell me yesterday's outage was resoled; however, I knew the power was on at 2 in the afternoon yesterday already. Very poorly run company with little to no regard for customers.