News Summary
A significant power outage in San Bernardino affected around 17,000 residents, leading to the closure of 14 schools. The outage was caused by a locomotive striking electrical equipment, disrupting essential services. While power was restored by noon, safety concerns arose due to high temperatures and inadequate classroom ventilation. City services, including traffic lights, were also impacted. Officials are monitoring the aftermath and reinforcing infrastructure to prevent future incidents.
Power Outage in San Bernardino Causes School Closures for Thousands of Students
San Bernardino, California – A widespread power outage in San Bernardino affected approximately 17,000 customers early Tuesday morning, leading to the closure of multiple schools and disrupting essential services across the city.
Cause of the Outage
The outage was first reported around 5 a.m. and was traced back to an incident involving a locomotive that struck critical electrical grid equipment. Specifically, a BNSF Railway locomotive collided with a transmission line in the rail yard on 4th Street, causing a significant disruption to power distribution throughout the area.
Officials from Southern California Edison confirmed that all power was restored by noon on the same day. The company’s outage reporting system indicated five separate outages in San Bernardino County, all showing reports at 5:08 a.m., although this was later noted as potentially a data entry error.
Impact on Schools and Community Services
The San Bernardino City Unified School District responded swiftly by closing 14 of its schools for the day to ensure student safety amid high temperatures and lack of proper classroom ventilation. The schools affected included Chávez, Salinas, Shandin Hills, Kendall Complex, Holcomb, Hillside, North Park, Cajon High School, Palm, Vermont, North Verdemont, Kimbark, Newmark, and Muscoy.
Despite the power issues, most campuses remained operational or experienced minimal disruption. Parents were notified promptly, instructed to pick up their children as soon as possible, with school activities expected to resume on the following day.
Temperatures in San Bernardino were forecasted to reach the high 90s and even triple digits, raising concerns about student safety, especially in classrooms lacking proper cooling or ventilation systems.
Additional City-Wide Disruptions
Beyond schools, the outage affected numerous city services. Stoplights in northern San Bernardino were rendered inoperative, causing traffic disruptions in the area. The San Bernardino County Fire Department confirmed that no injuries resulted from the incident involving the locomotive and power lines.
St. Bernardine Medical Center, a major healthcare facility in the region, maintained normal operations despite the outage, ensuring ongoing medical services for residents in need.
Official Statements and Further Details
Officials from Southern California Edison, including spokesperson Jeff Monford, stated that power was restored by noon and that the outage was caused by a locomotive striking grid equipment. The incident was considered an isolated event, though its timing coincided with another power disruption the previous day that led to similar school closures in the surrounding area, including the Bear Valley Unified School District.
City authorities and emergency responders continue to monitor the situation to prevent further disruptions. Power companies also indicated ongoing efforts to reinforce infrastructure to avoid future incidents.
Looking Ahead
All affected schools are expected to resume classes on Wednesday, with authorities emphasizing continued vigilance and preparedness. The city and utility providers urge residents to stay informed about ongoing updates and to exercise caution when navigating affected street intersections and infrastructure impacted by the outage.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- ABC7 News
- Wikipedia: San Bernardino, California
- San Bernardino Sun
- Google Search: San Bernardino power outage
- NBC Los Angeles
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Bernardino
- Spectrum News 1
- Google News: San Bernardino school closures
- KTLA News
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