Edison command center at track

The parking lot of Santa Anita Park along Huntington Drive just east of the circus tent has been transformed into what looks like a military command center.

In fact, it is a command center, but one set up overnight by Southern California Edison to deal with massive power outages still affecting hundreds of thousands of customers nearly 48 hours after a wind storm late Wednesday/early Thursday that had gusts of nearly 100 mph. Hundreds of trees were knocked down, many hitting and uprooting power lines.

More than 40 trucks gathered in the lot Thursday night while the race track was still without power. By Friday morning, as power was restored to Santa Anita in time for live simulcast wagering, Edison had set up tents, rows of portable toilets. emergency vehicles,  RVs, and 44 emergency relief crews. Later, truckloads of transformers, generators, .and various equipment was being hauled in and out on tractor-trailers and moved around the area with fork lifts.

Edison said the company is working on a local substation that energizes a substantial part of Arcadia. They are also working throughout the region. Staff has been working continuously with Edison but has not received notification when all power will be restored or how it will be phased.

The company advises that if you encounter a downed power line, do not touch the line. Notify authorities immediately. A downed line or dangling wire is dangerous — even if it appears not to be live. Please be aware that once areas are re-energized, lines may become live. Questions and status reports from Edison can be obtained by calling (800) 655-4555.

As to the staging area at Santa Antia, “This is basically a mobile command center,” said Marvin Jackson, Regional Manager, Public Affairs, Southern California Edison.  “Ordinarily, our crews would be able to operate out of a local service center, but in this situation, with so much damage, it’s nice to be centrally located near some of the most heavily damaged areas.”

“Right now, we have no idea how long it’s going to take to get power fully restored.  In so many cases, the power lines are on top of and entangled with downed debris and that’s really making things difficult.  The fact that we’re able to base here at Santa Anita, in one location, is very helpful in terms of logistics,” he added.

Santa Anita, which recently got approval from the Arcadia City Council to use the facility for non-race purposes without being required to get a special permit each time, now has Christmas tree sales, Circus Vargas, and a giant command center all in a row on the parking lots along Huntington.

“Our neighbors were hit hard and we want to help everyone get life back to normal as soon as possible,” said Santa Anita President George Haines.  “We’re fortunate to have our power back on and we know how important it is to facilitate Edison’s efforts in our community.  We’re glad to be in a position to assist them.”

— By Scott Hettrick