Palm Springs power outage causes big headache for locals and businesses

Crews are working to restore power for customers impacted after an early morning car cash downed lines in Palm Springs.

Palm Springs police said one person was trapped inside the car when it overturned, as it crashed into a power pole. Making the situation more dangerous, power lines fell on top of the car.

The accident happened at 2:15 a.m. near North Indian Canyon Drive east of Vista Chino.

One person inside the SUV was able to escape without police assistance, but the other was trapped and could not be rescued until power was shut off.

Both were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Police believe alcohol could be a factor in the crash

With no power, it’s been a hot day for many homeowners and businesses near the accident site.

Sheila Amero-Housley was trying to go back to sleep Sunday morning when she heard a bone chilling boom.

“I heard a huge explosion my heart jumped out of my skin,” Amero-Housley said.

She came to realize her power had gone out after the car crashed into power lines on Indian Canyon Drive.

“The computer part exploded and the case came off and so the pool is completely down and we’re supposed to leave town,” Amero-Housley said.

Southern California Edison crews have been out all day working to restore extensive damage.

It’s not just homeowners affected, the Ivy Palm Resort and Spa was at capacity Saturday night. Sunday morning, it was a different story.

“We were sold out 100 percent last night, today we have to send everyone that was going to stay over to a hotel across the street. Because we wont have power back on until one tomorrow morning, so we’re going to be losing all the revenues from tonight,” general manager Real Mercier said.

They’re now working to inform future guests of their plan to close until power is restored.

“Feeling a little frustrated, because it’s getting hot and it’s only going to get worse. So we’ll just wait and see,” Mercier said.

Rick’s Restaurant Bakery across the way is packed.

“We’ve been affected tremendously. We’re probably going to do an extra 200 covers today just because of this incident,” owner Rick Seidner said.

But he’s worried about his sister restaurant down the street.

“Restaurants have a tremendous amount of inventory in refrigeration and if it’s in the freezer you’re okay for about 48 hours, but if it’s in a walk in, a lot of things are going to spoiled,” Seidner said.

While it might impact their travel plans Amero-Housley said she’s glad it’s not worse than it is.

“I’m happy that it’s things that can be fixed, it all can be rectified. It’s just a matter of time,” Amero-Housley said.

For all the latest updates on the power outage click here.

In the mean time Southern California Edison advises everyone to steer clear of that area.