HEAT UPDATE: City of L.A. Continues Urgent Response to Restore Outages and Protect Angelenos

LOS ANGELES – An Excessive Heat Warning from the National Weather Service remains in effect for the entire Los Angeles region through 8 P.M.,  Sept. 10.  Last week, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass directed City Departments to take immediate action and has increased and extended resources to assist Angelenos in staying cool. In response to recent power outages relating to this continuing heat, LADWP has elevated its alert and increased crews restoring power in impacted neighborhoods. A full citywide coordination to protect Angelenos from the heat continues, and augmented cooling centers have been extended through Sept. 10. 

The City of L.A. Climate Emergency Mobilization Office has also created the Cool Spots L.A. app that identifies cooling amenities and their locations in L.A., such as  public libraries, recreation centers, cooling centers, community pools and splash pads, hydration stations and shade structures. Read more here. Note that the app does not include the augmented cooling centers mentioned below. Angelenos are also encouraged to sign up for NotifyLA.org, to receive heat and adverse weather alerts on your phone. For updates, please visit emergency.lacity.gov/updates. 

Safety Tips For Angelenos To Avoid Heat Injury

• Seek shade and refuge from the hot sun if you must be outside.
• Stay hydrated and drink more water, especially if you drink coffee or soda.
• Check in on and prepare your household, family, friends, pets and workplace.
• Limit your exposure to direct sunlight between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• If you feel ill, tell someone immediately. Symptoms of dehydration and heat illness may include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, nausea, muscle cramps, headache and vomiting.
• Symptoms of heat stroke include:
  • High body temperature (103°F or higher)
  • Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
  • Fast, strong pulse
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
  • Losing consciousness (passing out)
• In the event of a heat stroke:
  • Call 911 right away – heat stroke is a medical emergency
  • Move the person to a cooler place
  • Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath
  • Do not give the person anything to drink
• Listen to your body, and remember that those with chronic illness such as asthma, heart disease etc., are more vulnerable to extreme heat. Please take extra precautions.
• Click here for more safety tips from the Los Angeles Fire Department.
• Click here for safety tips in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Armenian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and more.

Aggressively Responding To Power Outages 

As of 6 p.m. Sept. 9 there were 7,724 out of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) 1.5 million electric customers without power. More than 118,000 customers have had their power restored since Friday. Crews continue to prioritize the restoration of longer-duration outages as well as large circuit outages. LADWP is at an elevated response level that allows for extra crews to restore power to customers experiencing a power outage. LADWP will work around the clock to repair equipment and restore power over the period of the heat wave. 

In the event of a power outage: 

• Report power outages at www.ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397).
• LADWP customers can sign up to receive outage alerts via text or email at www.ladwp.com/outagealert.
• LADWP also shares updates on outage restoration progress to affected communities via  NextDoor.com.

For updates related to LADWP’s outage restoration efforts, visit www.ladwpnews.com 

To find out more about LADWP’s energy efficiency rebates and programs, click here.

Pools & Splash Pads

The Department of Recreation and Parks will offer these facilities during hours of operation to the public. Click here for more information. 

Spreading Heat Safety Awareness

The Mayor’s Office and the City’s Chief Heat Officer are working in sync with City Departments and Bureaus, L.A. County, and a network of NGOs, to build heat safety awareness and prepare for heat risks in a proactive, coordinated, and equity-driven approach. The City has launched a multilingual heat safety campaign, “Heat Relief 4 LA”, which includes information in multiple languages to help keep Angelenos safe during extreme heat events this summer. The Public Service Announcement can also be found on Bus Shelters in various languages throughout the City of LA. Learn more here. 

Protecting Our Pets From Extreme Heat

In preparation for extreme heat, the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services offers these tips to keep your animals safe:

• Avoid walking pets during the warmest parts of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). If you must walk your pet, avoid hot surfaces.
• Never leave your pet alone inside a vehicle. A car can overheat even when a window has been slightly opened.

• Give your pet extra water. Always make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water to drink. If your pet enjoys ice cubes, add them to their water dish.
• Keep pets indoors (if possible) during hot weather, but if you keep them outside, ensure they have adequate shade to escape the sun, and ensure that they have plenty of fresh water nearby.
• Avoid hot surfaces. Touch the ground first before venturing out. If the surface is too hot to touch with your hand or bare feet, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws.

For more information about LA Animal Services and tips to keep pets and people safe, click here.