All Posts tagged palm springs valley non-golf communities

PALM SPRINGS – Well, we knew it was coming . . . the extreme heat, that is.  That time in the summer when we’re biting at the bit for fall to come, when the temperature gets up over 110, then 115 . . . if you’re a Desert Dweller, you know the routine.  Power outages or blackouts, as they are also called, can happen this time of year when the demand for electricity strains the system.

Yesterday, Southern California Edison sounded an alarm by asking its customers to turn up their thermostats . . . especially at night.  And IID (Imperial Irrigation District), which serves La Quinta, Indio and Coachella, said yesterday that it was just 25 megawatts short of hitting maximum capacity at 3:30pm.

When the temperatures here in our valley turn into a heat wave lasting several days or more, people use more electricity around the clock.  If the equipment doesn’t get the chance to rest, that’s when problems can begin.

Here’s what you can do if an outage occurs:

• Open the fridge and freezer only when necessary
• Turn off and unplug any electrical equipment that’s not being used
• Take advantage of “Cool Centers” – find list of locations at www.sce.com/coolcenters
• Instead of using candles, use flashlights.  Candles are a fire hazard
• Have an emergency plan for anyone in your home who’s dependent on electric-powered medical equipment – a back-up power source or somewhere to relocate to