A widespread power outage impacted tens of thousands of residents across parts of San Diego and Orange counties Thursday evening, but service has been fully restored as of late Thursday, according to San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). The outage, which began at 7:41 p.m., affected communities from Carlsbad to Encinitas, extending eastward into Escondido and as far north as Laguna Hills in Orange County.
At its peak, the outage left more than 100,000 customers without electricity, disrupting evening routines and raising concerns about potential safety issues. SDG&E crews worked to identify and resolve the issue, ultimately restoring power to all affected customers by approximately 8:56 p.m. The cause of the outage remains under investigation.
The disruption affected a broad geographic area, impacting numerous communities throughout North San Diego County. Residents in coastal areas like Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Costa, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, and Olivenhain experienced the loss of power, as did those in Rancho Santa Fe and near the San Elijo Lagoon. Inland communities including San Pasqual, Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Bernardo, Escondido, Del Dios, and Lake Hodges were also affected.
Extent of the Outage Reached Orange County
The impact of the outage wasn’t limited to San Diego County. Southern Orange County communities, including Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, and San Juan Capistrano, also reported power losses. This extended reach suggests a significant issue within the regional power grid. SDG&E’s outage map, available at outage.sdge.com, provided real-time updates on the affected areas and restoration progress throughout the evening.
SDG&E Media Relations Manager Anthony Wagner released a statement following the full restoration of power. “Power has been fully restored to customers affected by a widespread outage impacting multiple communities in North San Diego County and Orange County this evening. We understand how disruptive outages can be and are working to investigate the cause. The safety of our customers, employees and communities remains our top priority,” Wagner stated.
Investigation Underway to Determine Cause
While power has been restored, the underlying cause of the outage remains unknown. SDG&E is currently investigating the incident to determine what triggered the widespread disruption. Identifying the root cause is crucial to preventing similar outages in the future and ensuring the reliability of the power grid. The utility has not yet released any preliminary findings regarding the cause, but updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
The quick restoration of power – within a little over an hour – is a testament to the preparedness and responsiveness of SDG&E’s crews. However, the scale of the outage, affecting over 100,000 customers, highlights the vulnerability of the power infrastructure to unforeseen events. Residents are encouraged to report any lingering issues or concerns to SDG&E directly.
As SDG&E continues its investigation, residents can expect further communication regarding the cause of the outage and any preventative measures being taken. The utility’s website remains the primary source for updates and information regarding the incident. The focus now shifts to understanding what happened and implementing strategies to enhance the resilience of the power grid for the future.
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