(Wind Damages Power Poles)....Strong gusty winds Monday created havoc.

Sporadic power outages were reported throughout the Imperial Irrigation District service area. The worst was between Salton City and Indio. Winds gusting over 47 miles per hour knocked down at least 18 power pole. Over 2,000 customers lost electrical service. The IID said they had restored most service by Monday evening by rerouting power to most areas. They said they expected all power would be restored within 48 hours of the damage. A cost estimate to repair the downed transmission line is not known. The California Highway Patrol discovered another damaged power pole Tuesday morning. It was on Gowling road. They said they encountered a polke leaning over, almost touching the roadway. Gowling was closed from Kamm to Alamo Road until repairs could be made.