LOS ANGELES ? Some of the most powerful Santa Ana winds in years ripped through Southern California, causing diverted and delayed flights, toppling trees and power lines, and knocking out power to thousands.
The strongest winds were expected early Thursday into Friday with damaging wind gusts of 80 mph or greater through mountain passes and 60 mph or greater in coastal and valley locations, the National Weather Service said.
A wind gust of 97 mph was recorded Wednesday night at Whitaker Peak in Los Angeles County, according to the weather service.
Twenty-three flights were diverted and several delayed at Los Angeles International airport, officials said.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said about 20 diverted flights were sent to Ontario Intgernational Airport in Riverside County Wednesday because of severe crosswinds and two runways were closed due to strewn debris.
"Aircraft are now landing regularly. All four runways are now open and the winds have died down," said Gregor. "We're starting to bring the Ontario diversions into LAX, and are cautiously optimistic the worst wind conditions are behind us ? for now."
Still, the airport said later that 10 airlines were reporting delays in both arriving and departing flights, while three international flights had been diverted.
Lights went out in the passenger terminals and on surrounding roads for about an hour Wednesday evening, causing flight and road traffic delays, airport spokeswoman Nancy Castles said.
SoCal Edison spokeswoman Vanessa McGrady said some 14,200 customers experienced power outages at some point Wednesday night ? some for as little as 30 seconds. Some of the cities affected include Culver City, Pasadena, Ridgecrest, El Segundo and Rancho Palos Verdes.
About 1,100 customers in west Los Angeles reported power outages, City News Service reported. Traffic lights weren't working at some busy intersections.
Surrounding neighborhoods of Westchester and Playa del Rey were also affected, said Los Angeles Department of Water and Power spokeswoman Maychelle Yee. The utility did not have an exact number of homes affected.
The Santa Ana winds are generated during cooler months when westward flowing currents reach fierce speeds as they squeeze through mountain ranges of Southern California, lowering humidity and making vegetation susceptible to fire.
A red flag warning of high fire danger was in effect beginning Wednesday night due to low humidity and strong winds. The Los Angeles Fire Department said it was boosted staffing.
The fire department said it battled winds up to 80 mph to put out a two acre grass fire on the grounds near Occidental College.
Spokesman Brian Humphrey said police evacuated some people before the department arrived and he didn't have details.
Both air and ground crews fought the blaze before putting it out in just less than two hours.
There were no reports of injury or damage to buildings.
Winds blew down trees in many areas, damaging a car in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles, where AM radio station KNX1070 lost power to its transmitter and took to streaming online only.
Another felled tree damaged a home in a neighborhood north of Beverly Hills.
Power was out through the Marina Peninsula and beach areas of Venice, including the pier. Some area restaurants remained open using candlelight and flashlights.
Homes also lost power in Laurel Canyon, the community tucked into the hollows of hills between Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley.
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