San Bernardino mass power outages affects several thousands, forces closure of 14 schools

Mass power outages were reported in the city of San Bernardino on Tuesday morning, just as temperatures ramped up across the Inland Empire.

According to Southern California Edison, more than 17,000 customers were without power Tuesday morning due to four different outages.

"We understand any outage is a hardship, especially during the hot weather, and we are working as quickly as we can to restore power safely," said Jeff Monford, a spokesman for Southern California Edison. "Shortly after 5 a.m., SCE learned from San Bernardino Fire that a locomotive struck grid equipment, resulting in a power outage affecting approximately 17,000 customers. SCE crews have been inspecting lines and restoring power as they go, and we will have estimated restoration time once we're able to safely inspect all lines."

The second day of school was canceled on 14 campuses across San Bernardino on Tuesday due to the outages, according to the local school district. The district said school would resume Wednesday morning after power was restored to the campuses by noon Tuesday.

The San Bernardino City Unified School District announced the closures on social media just before 8:30 a.m., after the school day began at many of the campuses.

"Parents, please arrange to pick up your children as soon as possible this morning," the district said.

The following schools were closed:

• Chavez Middle 
• Salinas 
• Nutrition Services  
• Shandin Hills 
• Kendall Complex 
• Holcomb 
• Hillside 
• North Park 
• Cajon High 
• Palm Avenue 
• Vermont 
• PDC 
• North Verdemont 
• Kimbark 
• Newmark 
• Muscoy