West Los Angeles experienced significant power disruptions on Saturday, leaving thousands of residents in the dark. The culprit? Mylar balloons.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reported that two major outages, affecting Westwood and Sawtelle, were directly linked to metallic balloons contacting power lines. The initial reports came in around 1:11 p.m. The LADWP immediately dispatched crews to address the situation, prioritizing the safety and swift restoration of power to affected customers.
According to the LADWP, “When metallic balloons, often called `mylar’ balloons, float into power lines, they can cause power outages. Their conductive material creates a short circuit when touching the energized line, disrupting the electrical flow.”
The scale of the outage was ample. over 2,000 residents faced interruptions to their electricity. The LADWP worked diligently to restore service, with power gradually returning to different areas throughout the afternoon. By 6:15 p.m., power was restored to 537 customers in Westwood, and by 6:45 p.m., 1,639 customers in Sawtelle had their electricity back. A small number of Westwood customers remained without power briefly before full restoration was achieved.
The LADWP announced via X (formerly Twitter) at 7:12 p.m. that power had been fully restored to all affected West LA customers. The swift response and eventual resolution prevented a prolonged disruption to the community.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of releasing metallic balloons. Their conductive properties can cause significant damage to electrical infrastructure, leading to widespread outages and potential safety hazards. The LADWP urges residents to consider safer alternatives for celebrations and events.
the incident highlights the importance of responsible balloon disposal and the potential consequences of seemingly harmless actions. The LADWP’s efficient response minimized the impact on the community, but the incident underscores the need for continued public awareness regarding the risks associated with metallic balloons.
Thousands in West LA without power after mylar balloons hit power lines Power was knocked out for thousands of LADWP customers in West LA on Saturday. Two major outages in Westwood and Sawtelle were related to metallic balloons, LADWP said. As of 6 p.m., more than 2,000 customers were without power. [1]
