San Fernando Valley : Residents Dig Out After Strong Winds

As powerful Santa Ana winds weakened Tuesday after a three-day barrage, residents across northern Los Angeles County dug out from under palm fronds and patched roofs while municipal crews fanned out to clear roads and untangle fallen trees from power lines.

“We’re very busy,” said Al Lee Jr., street superintendent for Glendale. City crews were called off their normal jobs of asphalt and sidewalk repair to clean up the dozens of city trees uprooted by holiday winds that at times hit 50 mph.

Glendale was perhaps the hardest hit by the winds, which forecasters said should ease today and subside slowly over the rest of the week. Patio chairs ended up in swimming pools. Felled trees blocked driveways. On Sunday and Monday, about 12,000 Glendale households were without power after trees knocked down lines and damaged circuits.

Power was restored to most customers by Monday, but a few remained in darkness until Tuesday, said Bill Hall, Glendale’s electrical services administrator. “Normally, the high winds bring the power lines down, but this was just so large-scale.”

The recent winds were more powerful than usual, said National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Bruno. “I know it’s been really tough this week,” Bruno said. “But it looks like we’re headed into a pretty quiet weather pattern.”