More than 20,000 households in Downey faced power outages that lasted hours Tuesday evening, leaving some residents struggling to carry on with their Christmas Eve plans as it remained unclear when the electricity would come back on.

Swirling winds knocked down trees and power lines across Santa Barbara and Goleta on Christmas Eve, causing multiple reports of heavy traffic and power outages throughout the county.

Several neighborhoods in Downey, Norwalk and other LA County cities were experiencing power outages and water pressure issues on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 after an equipment failure Tuesday afternoon at a Southern California Edison substation.

The PNW and Portland metro were buffeted by strong winds and stormy weather Wednesday night, and by early Thursday morning over 20,000 households were left without power due to downed lines, fallen trees,

A strong storm system blew into western Oregon late Wednesday, with many residents going to bed Christmas night and waking up to power outages.