Nearly 2,200 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power customers in the Sawtelle and Westwood areas were without power Saturday after metallic balloons floated into power lines, causing them to short circuit.
The LADWP reported at 1:11 p.m. Saturday that crews were responding to a power outage in the West Los Angeles area caused by metallic balloons, and that service would be restored as quickly and safely as possible.
“When metallic balloons, often called `mylar’ balloons, float into power lines, they can cause power outages,” the LADWP explained. “Their conductive material creates a short circuit when touching the energized line, disrupting the electrical flow.”
The utility estimated on its website that the Sawtelle neighborhood should see power restored by 5 p.m. and Westwood could follow at 5:30 p.m.