Newsroom
Strong Winds Hit Oxy Campus; Classes Canceled Today
Strong Santa Ana winds hit the Occidental College campus early this morning, cutting power to some parts of campus and downing tree limbs but causing no major damage or injuries.
Because power has been only partially restored as of 7 a.m., classes have been canceled for today, Thursday, Dec. 1. (Staff essential to the operation of the College are being asked to come into work.) In addition, the Cooler and Green Bean are closed due to another power outage at mid-day. However, Marketplace will be open until 7:30 p.m. tonight.
A downed power line triggered a small grass fire on the east side of Fiji Hill on campus, but a prompt response from multiple engine companies and a helicopter from the Los Angeles Fire Department quickly doused the flames. Students in three residence halls closest to the fire -- Stearns, E. Norris, and Braun -- were evacuated as a precaution to Rush Gymnasium on the opposite side of campus. The all-clear was sounded and students returned to their halls around 2 a.m.
The strong Santa Ana winds left the campus strewn with branches, leaves, and other debris, but there have been no reports of damage or injuries. By 3 a.m., as the winds to began to abate somewhat, Facilities crews were out surveying the campus, and working to restore power to those buildings that remained dark. As of 7 a.m., an estimate as to when complete power will be restored was not available from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.