News Summary
Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains are under a severe weather alert as the National Weather Service warns of strong winds and heavy rainfall. Wind gusts reaching 50 mph are expected to pose risks until the early afternoon, with areas advised to stay indoors. Heavy rain raises flooding concerns, and a wind advisory highlights gusts potentially leading to power outages. Residents are urged to take safety precautions as electric customers may face power shutoffs due to the severe weather. The storm is forecasted to taper off by the end of the week.
Orange County Faces Severe Weather Alert
The Orange County and Santa Ana Mountains area is under a severe weather alert as issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. Strong wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph and accompanying showers are expected to pose risks until 12:15 p.m. today.
According to Doppler radar, gusty showers near Laguna Beach were moving northeast at 30 mph as of 11:29 a.m. The NWS has warned that these wind gusts could knock down trees and blow around unsecured objects, which may lead to further safety hazards.
Areas Affected by the Alert
Residents in multiple locations are urged to stay informed and prepared, as the alert extends to a variety of cities and communities including Riverside, Irvine, southern Corona, Mission Viejo, Tustin, San Clemente, and many others. Individuals are advised to stay indoors when possible, as wind gusts pose a significant risk to safety.
Heavy Rain and Flooding Concerns
Heavy rainfall is also projected, raising concerns about potential flooding if the rain persists or if there is excessive runoff. Ground saturation and high intensity rainfall may contribute to the risks of flooding.
The NWS encourages residents to take specific precautions during heavy rain, which include:
- Being cautious of swollen waterways
- Maintaining safe distances while driving
- Driving at reduced speeds and being alert on the roads
- Avoiding flooded lanes and maintaining visibility
- Keeping a safe distance from larger vehicles
- Regularly checking windshield wipers for optimal visibility
Wind Advisory and Power Outages
A wind advisory is effective for Orange County, highlighting northeast winds blowing at speeds ranging from 35 to 45 mph, with potential gusts reaching up to 65 mph. This advisory is active until 6 p.m. Wednesday. These damaging winds could bring down trees and power lines, resulting in power outages.
Residents are urged to stay on lower levels of their homes during the windstorm and avoid being near windows as a safety precaution.
Public Safety Power Shutoff Risk
A significant public safety power shutoff has been planned for nearly half a million electric customers in Southern California, with utility provider Southern California Edison (SCE) evaluating shutoffs for approximately 414,306 customers based on the evolving weather conditions.
Tropical moisture and warm temperatures contributed to scattered showers and lightning earlier in the day, prompting closed beaches in areas like Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, and Long Beach due to ongoing lightning threats. Alongside these developments, a severe thunderstorm warning and flash flood warning were enacted but have since expired.
Reports of a family in Huntington Beach capturing a lightning strike on video showcase the storm’s intensity, although no injuries have been reported. Thunderstorm conditions have led to heavy downpours, strong winds, and hail across the region.
Looking Ahead
The storm is anticipated to taper off by Wednesday into Thursday morning, with rising temperatures expected by the weekend. SCE may further de-energize circuits like the Laguna Beach Acres Circuit, depending on weather developments to mitigate fire risks.
For any inquiries regarding power outages and to learn about safety measures, residents can contact SCE directly at 800-611-1911 or visit their official website.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Patch: 65 MPH Winds Batter Laguna Beach Amid Fire Watch Warning
- Google Search: Laguna Beach Weather Alerts
- ABC7: Rain, Thunderstorms Force Beach Closures
- Wikipedia: Weather
- KTLA: California Under Tsunami Watch
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Earthquake
- OC Register: Tsunami Watch Issued for California Coast
- Google News: Tsunami Warning California
- Times Now News: Laguna Beach Fire Evacuation Ordered
- Google Scholar: California Severe Weather
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
