Falling Palm Frond Causes Power Outage

VENTURA — A palm frond landed on electric lines in mid-city Wednesday, causing a power outage for 1,777 customers, officials said.

The outage occurred at 2:07 p.m. when the branch struck lines on Hillmont Avenue, a few blocks north of Loma Vista Road, said Glen Becerra, a Southern California Edison spokesman. At least one line fell to the ground, he said.

Inconvenienced customers included residences and businesses. A nearby hospital was not affected, Becerra said.

Power returned to 1,532 customers by 3:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., service had been restored to all but 77 customers, who were expected to be without power until 3 a.m. today, Becerra said.