The response to last month's windstorm that knocked out power for more than 340,000 homes was the focus of a meeting Thursday in Pasadena.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) hosted the roundtable discussion, which focused on the region's response to last month's windstorm and how the region can prepare for any future natural disasters.
Federal, state and local officials, and representatives from local utilities and FEMA attended. The public was also encouraged to attend.
"We should look at this windstorm as if it were a massive, unplanned and unrehearsed drill for a more serious disaster," Schiff said. "I know how hard utilities and their crews worked to turn the lights back on. But problems in communicating with residents and the prolonged period in which many lacked power, exposed potential gaps in our preparedness -- gaps that should be filled in case we have to confront an even more severe event in the future."
In addition to examining the obstacles faced last month, the panel will commission efforts to assist the individuals whose homes and businesses were damaged as a result of the storm.
Tens of millions of dollars in damage occurred in the cities of the San Gabriel Valley. Thousands were still without power nearly a week after the storm had passed.
Later this month, the California Public Utilities Commission will have a hearing in Temple City focusing on issues such as the customer response time, the potential safety lapses and the staffing levels.
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