Power Outage in Midtown...?
 

Just got word from our NY office that the power's out in their vicinity (Midtown East 50s). Anyone else know if it's just around there (maybe their building?) or more widespread through Manhattan?

I just heard there were outages in New York, New Jersey, Detroit and Columbus, Ohio....Don't know

hit in Albany NY too. Went on & off a few times, reduced voltage for awhile, then completely out for maybe 10 minutes. Back on now, but shutting down electronic equipment once confirmed that each item didn't "cook". According to radio, much of NE & mid US too. Subways out in NYC, I guess

Watch for big increase in births next May! <g>

Looks like a major outtage. US northeast and Canada southeast corners. From NYC to Detroit up to Toronto to Ottawa and down to NYC.

Of f*ing course it happens the night before I'm supposed to fly into Newark...

Just in - it looks natural, not a terrorist act. CNN just reported that the Niagra Mohawk Power Grid is overloaded. Again, this is a first report, but they are pretty sure at this time.

Power dimmed here in western Pa a few times as well, but never went out. This is the hottest its been in the NorthEast all summer so I'll bet that is part of the problem.

Empathy to all, what a nightmare, and the heat must be dreadful.

Per FAA, airlines' ops are UNaffected - they switched to diesel-powered generators for their electricity. Hang in there - this will be solved quickly. Thoughts are with you.

As of 5:30 pm CNN is saying the power's coming back on in parts of New Jersey.

I was at my office on Staten Island when the power went out at exactly 4:11 PM. All traffic lights were out and there was no cell phone service; however, when I got back to my house in NJ, everything was on, even though it was clear that there had been some loss of power previously (clocks had to be re-set, etc.). Obviously, this has everyone on edge, despite all reassurances...take care, everyone!

I'm glad no one's taking pleasure at their misfortune. Goes to show that there ARE some nice people on this board!

If this or some other natural disaster happened here in southern California, there would be a small number of posters going "Yeah! Fry! Slide into the ocean! WE HATE CALIFORNIA AND ALL IT STANDS FOR AND EVERYONE WHO LIVES THERE!" Nice to know they hold their tongues when it's the Northeast.

Oh, and margot-- Glad you were able to get home!!

There's talk of what will happen tomorrow if the NYSE isn't able to resume operations. I've heard that operations are switched to Charlotte, NC if the NYSE is ever incapacitated. I wonder if that's true...? A moment ago on CNN they were talking about Charlotte but I only caught the tail end of what they were saying.

rjwlgbca - thanks so much for your good wishes! Believe me, it was a real relief when I got over the Outerbridge Crossing back into NJ, and the trip home was thankfully uneventful. Pheww...but sorry for all those who are stranded, stressed, and baking in this intense heat...

This is a bit off-topic, but in case anyone is interested, I'm in eastern Mass. and we have power. My husband was on a plane in Detroit when the power went out. They kept the passengers on the plane for a while and then finally let them off. Last time I spoke to him he mentioned that people aren't being allowed in and out of the airport because security machines aren't working. I assume that would be the case at any affected airport. What a mess that must be, but thank God they don't think it was terrorism!

Sorry for everybody who's affected!

I can't open CNN website - is it overloaded? or affected by the outage?

This is what I"ve got from another source:
A massive power blackout hit U.S. and Canadian cities Thursday, closing nuclear power plants in Ohio and New York state, driving workers in New York City and Toronto into the streets, and shutting subways in blistering heat.

In New York, the blackout affected subways, elevators and airports, including John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports. Thousands of people streamed into the streets of lower Manhattan in 90-degree heat.

In Toronto, Canada's largest city, workers also fled their buildings after the blackout hit shortly after 4 p.m. EDT. There also were widespread outages in Ottawa, the capital.

Traffic lights were out throughout downtown Cleveland and other major cities, creating havoc at the beginning of rush hour.

There were reports of outages in northern New Jersey and in several Vermont towns. In Connecticut, Metro-North Railroad service was knocked out. Lights flickered at state government buildings in Hartford.

Every prison in New York state reported a loss of power and switched to backup generators, said James Flateau, a spokesman for the state Department of Corrections.

In Albany, N.Y., several people were trapped in elevators in Empire State Plaza, but most had been freed by 5 p.m. People in New York City lined up 10 deep or more at pay phones, with cell phone service disrupted in some areas.

The Federal Aviation Administration instituted airport ground stops at Cleveland, Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark, N.J. That meant planes from other cities heading to those four airports could not take off.

However, air traffic control facilities had backup power, and planes already in the air could land at those airports, said Laura Brown, speaking for the FAA.

Columbus, Ohio has power. However, Cleveland, Toledo, Akron, Sandusky (Cedar Point) are out as are the Lake Erie Islands.

I really feel for those who don't have power. We were without power due to severe storms about a month ago for 26 hours and it was no picnic. Hope everyone's power goes back on soon.

Here's a link to the NY Times report on the outage. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/14/ny..._POWER.html?hp