Massive Power Outage Leaves Over 100,000 in the Dark Across South Orange and San Diego Counties

Massive power outage left more than 100,000 people in the dark in South Orange County, parts of San Diego County

A massive power outage left tens of thousands of people without electricity Thursday night across South Orange County and parts of San Diego County. The outage, which struck during the evening hours, plunged entire neighborhoods into darkness and disrupted daily life for more than 100,000 residents. Emergency services were immediately placed on heightened alert as traffic signals went dark at major intersections and businesses were forced to close their doors.

Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric confirmed that their crews were deployed to investigate the cause of the widespread blackout and work to restore power as quickly as possible. Utility officials said the outage appeared to affect a broad swath of communities stretching from the southern portions of Orange County down into northern San Diego County. Residents reported the lights flickering briefly before going out entirely, leaving homes, schools, and commercial areas without power for several hours.

Local authorities urged residents to stay off the roads where possible and to treat all darkened intersections as four-way stops. Emergency shelters were opened in several locations for vulnerable residents, including the elderly and those reliant on medical equipment requiring electricity. Police departments in the affected areas reported increased call volumes as residents sought information and assistance throughout the night.

Utility companies said that power was gradually being restored to affected areas, though some customers could expect to remain without electricity into the early morning hours. Officials stated that a full investigation into the root cause of the outage was underway and that they would provide updates as more information became available. Residents were encouraged to monitor their local utility providers' websites and social media accounts for real-time restoration updates and safety information.