San Bernardino, California, August 6, 2025
News Summary
A power outage struck San Bernardino, California, early Tuesday morning, affecting around 17,000 customers. The outage was triggered by a locomotive striking electrical equipment, prompting the closure of 14 schools in the San Bernardino City Unified School District due to safety concerns over rising temperatures. While most campuses remained operational, parents were notified to pick up their children to ensure their safety. Power was restored by noon, and no injuries were reported. Classes are set to resume on Wednesday following the disruption.
San Bernardino, California experienced a significant power outage on Tuesday morning, affecting approximately 17,000 customers. The outage began around 5 a.m. after a locomotive struck electrical grid equipment, leading to the closure of 14 schools in the San Bernardino City Unified School District.
In response to the outage and rising temperatures, which were forecast to reach the high 90s and even triple digits, the school district decided to cancel classes for the day. The affected schools included Chávez, Salinas, Shandin Hills, Kendall Complex, Holcomb, Hillside, North Park, Cajon High School, Palm, Vermont, North Verdemont, Kimbark, Newmark, and Muscoy.
Despite the challenges posed by the outage, the majority of the district’s campuses remained operational. However, concerns were raised regarding student safety as many classrooms lacked adequate ventilation during the heat. Parents were promptly notified to pick up their children as the school district prioritized their safety in light of the situation.
By noon, Southern California Edison had restored power to all affected customers. A spokesperson from the utility company confirmed the restoration following the incident that impacted the electrical transmission line. No injuries were reported as a result of the event.
Capt. Shawn Millerick from the San Bernardino County Fire Department reported that a transmission line owned by Edison fell onto the BNSF locomotive while it was in the rail yard on 4th Street, which was the root cause of the outage.
Additionally, the power outage led to the failure of stoplights in northern San Bernardino, creating safety concerns for motorists and pedestrians alike. The local police department was actively monitoring the situation to ensure public safety during the outage.
Despite challenges, the St. Bernardine Medical Center continued to operate normally throughout the incident, maintaining its services without interruption. It was also noted that this was the second consecutive day that power outages affected schools in the county, as classes had previously been canceled in the Bear Valley Unified School District.
The Edison outage website reported multiple outages throughout San Bernardino County at 5:08 a.m.; however, the spokesperson mentioned this was likely due to a data entry error rather than multiple distinct events.
Classes at the affected schools are expected to resume on Wednesday, ensuring that educational activities can continue following the disruptions caused by the outage.
FAQ
What caused the power outage in San Bernardino?
A locomotive struck electrical grid equipment, causing a major power outage around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.
How many people were affected by the power outage?
Approximately 17,000 customers in the San Bernardino area experienced the outage.
What actions were taken regarding schools due to the outage?
The San Bernardino City Unified School District closed 14 schools for the day due to the power outage and high temperatures.
When was power restored to affected areas?
Power was fully restored by noon on the same day as the outage.
Were there any injuries reported from the incident?
No injuries were reported as a result of the locomotive strike or power outage.
Power Outage Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | San Bernardino, California |
| Date of Incident | Tuesday |
| Number of Customers Affected | Approximately 17,000 |
| Cause of Outage | Locomotive striking electrical grid equipment |
| Schools Closed | 14 schools in the San Bernardino City Unified School District |
| Power Restoration | Noon on Tuesday |
| Injuries Reported | No |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- ABC7 News
- Wikipedia: San Bernardino, California
- San Bernardino Sun
- Google Search: San Bernardino power outage
- NBC Los Angeles
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Bernardino
- Spectrum News 1
- Google News: San Bernardino school closures
- KTLA News
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