Winds Buffet Hollywood — Paramount Closes, CBS Loses Power (Updated)

And a tree smashes through the house of actress Rebecca Gayheart

Gale force winds have wreaked havoc on Hollywood, shutting one studio and causing networks to lose power. 

Paramount was closed for business Thursday due to the storm. At CBS's Los Angeles studio, employees arrived to work Thursday to find their power out, but it has since been restored.

A power loss Wednesday night forced Sony employees to exit through darkened stairwells, according to a filmed report on CBS Los Angeles. A Sony representative could not confirm this report. 

Also read: As Winds Devastate L.A., Albert Brooks, Joel McHale and Other Comics Crack Wise

Paramount confirmed the closure, which circulated on tracking board and email chains Thursday morning, to TheWrap. 

Other studios fared better. A representative for Fox said its lot did not suffer any damage. And no damage has been reported at Disney headquarters in Burbank, according to a spokesperson. 

A eucalyptus tree downed by wind reportedly smashed into a home owned by actress Rebecca Gayheart, CBS reported, also with video. The tree broke through a wall; Gayheart and her baby are reportedly safe, according to neighbors.

Also read: Trees Down, Cars Smashed; Powerful Winds Batter L.A. (Slideshow)

The powerful winds, some of the strongest that have hit Southern California in years, are expected to continue through Friday. Thousands of power outages have been recorded. As of 10 a.m. on Thursday, power outages had affected approximately 123,400 LA metro and 5,600 San Fernando Valley customers. More than 100 crews had responded to 1,000-plus incidents.

Also, flights have been delayed at LAX, and more than 100 trees were uprooted in Pasadena.

Brent Lang, Tim Kenneally and Joshua L. Weinstein contributed to this report.

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