Winds Blamed for Traffic Accident That Kills Woman

A Canyon Country woman died in a Northridge traffic accident that was blamed on wind-related power failures, and high winds also blew debris onto Hollywood Boulevard, resulting in a temporary closure Saturday.

The strong gusts, which reached 40 m.p.h., are expected to continue today, ranging between 15 and 30 m.p.h., said Steve Burback, a meteorologist with WeatherData Inc., which provides forecasts for The Times.

The winds, which started blowing in from the northeast about 2 a.m., blew the cover and planks from the scaffolding around a Michael Jackson mural being painted on the side of the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, police said. Officers closed Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Orchid avenues for a few hours early Saturday until the street was cleared. No one was injured, Lt. Charles Roper said.

Aurora Garvida, 52, was killed in a crash at Nordhoff Street and Balboa Boulevard, where the traffic signal had gone out. Power failures were also blamed for a fire that caused an estimated $300,000 damage to a Northridge house.

The high temperature in Los Angeles reached 82 degrees Saturday. Today and Monday, temperatures are expected to reach the upper 80s near the coast and lower 90s inland, Burback said.