Thousands without power as high winds blow across Southern California

Associated Press - December 27, 2007 7:23 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A north wind blowing 60-mile-an-hour gusts has knocked out power to thousands of people in Southern California.

The winds have knocked down power lines and blown blinding dust across desert roadways.

More than 19,000 homes and businesses served by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power are without electricity today. Outages stretch from the San Fernando Valley to southern Los Angeles.

The winds made for a blustery holiday in Southern California. Forecasters look for them to subside by late today, although gusts as high as 80 miles-an-hour are still possible. Utility crews are on standby.

Unlike last month's hot, dry Santa Ana winds, the latest gusts are coming from the north and have been cold and moist.

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