LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Californians are being asked to conserve energy usage amid an excessive heat wave hitting the southern part of the state, officials said.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning through Friday for several areas in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties with temperatures soaring to more than 100 degrees in much of the region, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Residents have also been asked by the California Independent System Operator to conserve energy, as the San Onofre nuclear plant has been out of service for more than six months due to equipment problems.
The ISO flex alert asked residents to set air conditioners to 78 degrees or higher or turn them off while away from home, turn off unnecessary lights and appliances and restrict use of major appliances to the morning and late evening.
On the East Coast, residents of New York City; Philadelphia; Baltimore; Washington; Harrisburg, Pa.; Allentown, Pa.; Richmond, Va.; Virginia Beach, Va.; and Raleigh, Va., have been warned against severe storms Friday, Accuweather.com reported.
Extreme winds, hail larger than quarters and heavy rain was predicted for the area.