Southwest U.S. hit by major power outage

SAN DIEGO -- Tens of thousands of people were without power after a major outage knocked out electricity from Southern California to the Arizona border on Thursday afternoon, halting flights in San Diego, the nation's eighth largest city.

Outages were reported across San Diego County and all the way to Yuma, Ariz. Residents in San Clemente in Orange County, north of San Diego, also said their lights were out.

Most of the northern part of Baja California, including the border city of Tijuana, also was without power, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The power went out about 3:45 p.m.

San Diego Gas & Electric Co. officials did not immediately respond to phone message. The company tweeted a message saying they were still trying to determine the cause of the massive outage.

"We continue to work on the current power outage and find the cause and solution," the company said in the tweet. "We will update you as soon as we know."

All outgoing flights from San Diego's Lindbergh Field have been halted, airport spokeswoman Rebecca Bloomfield said. Incoming flights are arriving with delays.

Thirteen police stations have been able to continue operating and taking 911 calls by using generators, police spokeswoman Andra Brown said.

The California ISO, which operates the state's wholesale power system, has "nothing to report," spokesman Steven Greenlee said. He declined to elaborate.