High winds across O.C. halt Disneyland vaccines for third time in a week

Strong winds and harsh weather conditions forced the Orange County Health Care Agency to close its Disneyland vaccine super site in Anaheim, turning away thousands of appointment holders for the third time since last week.

“At 3:30 p.m. today, our Disneyland Super POD site closed due to safety concerns related to inclement weather,” read a Tweet posted by the agency. “Everyone who had an appointment today, Jan. 25, at 3:30 p.m. or later will be rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 27 at the same time.”

The post referred viewers to the Othena.com website and smartphone app, which have experienced backlogs in recent weeks, as tens of thousands of Orange County residents clamor to book appointments for individuals older than 65 and other Phase 1A individuals.

Ciara Reistad runs along Bolsa Chica State Beach in the howling wind on Monday, Jan. 25. Wind speeds reached up to 22 miles per hour.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

Monday’s closure marks the third time the Disneyland super POD (point-of-dispensing) site has closed due to inclement weather. Officials suspended appointments Jan. 19 due to high winds with gusts of up to 60 mph and ultimately extended the closure to a second day.

The most recent temporary closure followed an urgent wind advisory issued Monday by the National Weather Service for the cities of Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, Fullerton and Mission Viejo.

Forecasting winds from 20 mph to 30 mph, with gusts of up to 50 mph, the issue was to remain in effect until 10 p.m. Monday.

Meanwhile, a second advisory expected to last until 6 p.m. Tuesday warns of high surf conditions on Orange County Beaches, as waves reach from 4 to 7 feet, with sets up to 9 feet in Del Mar.

Surf was anticipated to peak Monday afternoon and evening and subside sometime on Tuesday. The National Weather Service warns of dangerous swimming conditions, strong rip currents and waves tall enough to overtop jetties and rocks along the shoreline.

Irene Menzes searches for hidden treasure with a medal detector as the wind whips up the waves near the Huntington Beach Pier on Monday, Jan. 25.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

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