High-voltage power line downed in Calif. storm

updated 8:21 p.m. ET Oct. 13, 2009

FOLSOM, Calif. - California's electricity grid manager has declared a power emergency after strong winds knocked down a high-voltage transmission line in Monterey County.

The collapse of the line near Moss Landing comes as a storm battered much of the state Tuesday with heavy rains and high winds.

The California Independent System Operator says without the 500 kilovolt line it will be harder to get power from Southern California to Northern California.

The independent operator is urging Northern Californians to conserve energy for the rest of the day.

Officials say the power flow has been cut by a third.

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