2007 Blackout Season Starts Now

We're getting reports of a blackout on the Upper East Side, from the East 60s up to Harlem, on Third Avenue (mostly about transit blackouts) and York Avenue in the 80s. Subway service is affected - the 4/5/6 line is down. A reader whose friend was at Randalls Island says a Con Ed station exploded.

UPDATE: 4PM WNBC reports that the outages are all along the East Side. OEM says "transformer explosions caused at least some of the outages."

WCBS880 says the outage could be as broad as "South Bronx/ East Harlem down to East Village."

UPDATE: 4:15PM CityRoom says service on the E and V on the East Side and the D line in the Bronx are affected. Apparently there was an explosion at a substation in the Bronx, but WCBS Radio was saying Con Ed wasn't involved.

Traffic lights are out in the South Bronx; the 2/5 is shut down (just in the Bronx, we think).

MTA's service advisory page is not loading.

UPDATE: 4:25PM OEM now says 375,000 customers are without power in the Bronx and Manhattan.

According to Dan Dickinson, traffic lights north of 72nd Street and York Avenue on the East Side are down, south of 72nd are fine. Sirens are blaring. And readers are reporting some outages on the East Side, as well as areas where there is power.

UPDATE: 4:30PM The Metropolitan Museum was evacuated. NY1 reports that there were no people trapped in trains. And here are two Con Ed quotes:
- Per WNBC 4: "There's something happening on the Upper East Side. I can't tell you how big it is yet."
- Per CityRoom: "We had a transmission disturbance that has affected areas of the western Bronx and the Upper East Side. We are investigating the cause. It’s affecting 136,700 customers." (Con Ed and OEM count customers differently: A Con Ed customer can mean a whole apartment building, while OEM counts customers as a business or household.)

UPDATE: 4:35PM We're hearing lights are back on the Upper East Side (at least at 84th and 5th Avenue). Also, trapped trains are being moved using emergency power.

UPDATE: 4:40PM Con Ed is now saying power is being restored to the Bronx and Manhattan. The failure might be due to a transmission line; lightning may have been involved, too.

And re: train service, the trains can technically run because they are on DC power, but track signals that use AC power (from Con Ed) were knocked out.

UPDATE: 5:01PM Power is back on according to officials.

And thanks to reader melanarchy who says MTA's TripPlanner page is usually available. That service advisory says:

Following a Power dip affecting our signals on the East Side of Manhattan and portions of the Bronx, we now have signal power, allowing us to operate trains safely.

Service on the 4, 5, 6, D, E, V is returning but with extensive delays. Passengers are advised to allow for extra time and if possible, stagger their commute home.

We apologize for the unavoidable delays in service.

Some officials says those heading up to the Bronx from Manhattan take a crosstown shuttle and take the 2/3 uptown. Also expect delays on Metro-North trains out of Grand Central.

More:
- 1010WINS' funny graphic
- Photograph (right) outside Yorkville bar Wicker Park
- The State Public Service Commissioner released a damning report on Con Ed's handling of the 2006 Queens blackout; Con Ed blamed the blackout on old equipment

UPDATE: 5:15PM Official MTA statement:

Metro-North: Service is restored and running normally.

NYCT Subways: Service on the 4 5 6 D E V is returning but with extensive delays. Passengers are advised to allow for extra time and if possible, stagger their commute home.

Bridges and Tunnels: Power has been restored. (Power was only out at the Triboro, which operated normally on backup generators).

LIRR was not affected by the outage.

How do you stagger a commute? Coordinate with other people trying to get onto the train? Take a subway one leg of the trip, get out at your transfer, chill out for 15 minutes, then continue on after getting an iced coffee?

Photograph from last year's Queens blackout by Dan Dickinson on Flickr

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on June 27, 2007 6:05 PM

Comments [rss]

guest

#59, that seems awfully high. I have a 1 bedroom in Manhattan; my bill is usually around $35/month, though it will sometimes go up to about $50 in July/August. I keep everything unplugged except the fridge, tv, cable box, and alarm clock, and use compact fluorescents everywhere. Additionally, I rarely run the AC and use fans instead.

guest

I just got home from Manhattan; took the 7:11pm LIRR out to Ronkonkoma, and ended up staying on the freaking train for 5 hours (yes, I got in at 12:30am). We got held at Jamaica forever, and then at various other stops. Why? Power outage--apparently the signals were completely kaput. Thanks ConEd, you're the best!

guest

I am as disgusted with Con Edison as the next person, so I do what I can to reduce my bill.

Culprit #1: the refrigerator. This accounts for about a third of an apartment-dweller's electric bill. The last time I bought a new fridge, my Con Ed bill dropped almost $10 a month. (And yes, it is frost-free.)

Culprit #2: light bulbs. Going in for compact flourescents has dropped about $4 off my monthly bill. Also, the new bulbs generate 70% less heat.

Culprit #3: electronic devices. The TV, the stereo, the computer, and so on draw a relatively small amount, but when it's multiplied by a 24/7 schedule, it adds up. Turn off "instant on" or "stand-by" features for additional savings.

guest

I just got my latest eye-boggling ConEd bill. I have an average-size, one bedroom in Brooklyn and no air conditioner or any other appliance (washing machine, etc.) that uses a lot of energy. Since I'm at work during the day, a minimal amount of electricity is being used during that time period.

My bill is $73.88! How can this be? I know people in NJ who pay slightly more than that for a 3 bedroom townhouse with central air-conditioning.

guest

ConEd is asking for a 17% rate hike.

for what???

guest

Q: What's the hardest part about rollerblading?

A: Telling your father you're gay...

guest

yeah Zodak, and just like last time, you still look like a tool

zodak

just like the last big blackout i have my rollerblades today so i don't need the subway or con ed!

S.D.

Meeting friends for dinner, We figure the Subway should be less crowded later.

matty

i live in wicker park, chicago (like the bar above!) and i'll be happy to let you all know that a cool front dropped the temp just now from 90 and humid to 70 and cool within about 20 minutes (including thunderstorms). The cold front should be heading your way in a couple days.

constantiiiine

Wait till 2nite, freaks.

Lights go out.

Constantine comes a-live.

Con Edison runs this city. Just ask Marz.

And if the Captain thinks he's safe in that little scooner he's got out in Sheepshead Bay, he better think again. The next kid that gets shot might be his.

-The Powerhouse

RIP Woman Benoit

rodney

I love that power was back in Manhattan within a couple hours, while last summer in Queens it took 8 days. Another giant FUCK YOU to Queens from conEd.

Steven

at least the power didn't stay down until stay after 7pm.

guest

i have 4 bars on freakin' t-mobile, so i would guess cell service is fine.

guest

man, fuck the 3 tonight. it's always crowded to BEGIN with, and by the time it gets into brooklyn, forget about it.

guest

anyone with lousy cellphone service (possibly due to downed cell towers, etc.)

PeterCavan

I can ping my Internet router at my apartment at 89th and 1st, so it looks like the power is back up there. I guess I'll get home on the 2/3 and the crosstown bus.

Elderta

May your sucker be not as sweet, Kojak!

Ack... I'm suppose to go to Cooper Union tonight, and here I am, stuck in the upper Bronx. Oh woe is me.

Uncle Eddie

This is what you get when mess with Con Ed! You betta pay your bills peanut heads or your neighborhood is next!!!

Bwa Ha Ha!

Co-Holder of the Don Imus Memorial Tag Team Championship,

Uncle Eddie

Kojak

I went home early!

suckers...

melanarchy

Service Alert

Posted on:6/27/2007 4:58:23 PM

SUBWAY SERVICE UPDATE

DUE TO POWER OUTAGE

Following a Power dip affecting our signals on the East Side of Manhattan and portions of the Bronx, we now have signal power, allowing us to operate trains safely.

Service on the 4 5 6 d e v is returning but with extensive delays. Passengers are advised to allow for extra time and if possible, stagger their commute home.

We apologize for the unavoidable delays in service.

guest

Every year, same story. Blackouts in the summer. And in winter, "Snowstorms of the Century."

We're like mayflies.

guest

Power back on at 83rd & 1st...

guest

check b/c my friend works in the BX and just called to say trains (D/B) not running...

guest

Karma. It'll get you everytime.

guest

Any subway updates? I don't want to get on the train to Brooklyn and get stuck on the Manhattan Bridge or something!

guest

MTA website is pitiful - it has no value when needed most! take note MTA b/c it is only June and you rely on Con Ed too! brace yourselves NYC.

melanarchy

http://tripplanner.mta.info/serviceAlert.aspx alternate link to mta's service alerts that is working more reliably:

Posted on:6/27/2007 4:49:27 PM

Due to an earlier incident, please expect delays in service on the 4, 5, 6, e, v, b and d trains at this time.

ed_Extinct

GEOTHERMAL! Now that's a solution we could all use.

guest

over in brooklyn, its just hot. i'm going for a slushie.

guest

ConEd spokesman Bob Magee says on CNN that all power in Manhattan has been restored.

guest

power back on at 101 st. and 3rd.

Rose Fox

No problems at Park and 26th. Good thing, too... no one in my office ever saves their work.

guest

The awesome Sewell Chan is reporting in the Times that power is being restored.

guest

Got power back up at 79th and 2nd

guest

Power also back on at 90th & York as of 4:30 pm.

guest

flickering/dimming lights going on over here at 5th and 47th but never went down.

guest

61 and 1 - never lost power

guest

Power's back on at 109th & 5th as of 4:30pm...

guest

Traffic lights from 77 to 96th street on 3rd ave are all operating.

guest

Just called my landlord at 83rd & 1st, they said power is out.

guest

OK, so where's the Google Maps mashup where people can post where there is and isn't power?

(Thankful I'm not taking any of the affected trains home tonight...!)

guest

Traffic lights coming back on. don't know about subway service.

guest

I'm told that power just came back. I'm not in the city though so I can't confirm firsthand.

guest

reports my friend who works across the street from the met: both street lights and traffic lights BACK ON around 84th and 5th avenue. (4:30 PM)

guest

How can Con Ed not be involved? Is it just subway service affected?

guest

Same at 48th and 5th -- power flickered, stayed down for a bit, then came back up.

guest

power flickered on 53rd and 5th, then went to backup generators or something.

guest

power flickered here at 57th and park at 3:40, but never went down.

mocanlagunas

aaaaaarrrrggggghhhhh... I don't want to walk!!!

guest

51 and Madison - power is on in thie neighborhood

ohhleary

How convenient! The MTA's web site is down!

WCBS is reporting that close to half a million people are without power right now.

guest

We have power on 5th and 21st.

Tim N.

NYT is reporting there was an explosion in a Con Ed substation in the Bronx, and the 4, 5, 6, E, V, and D are all messed up.

There's also apparently no power from the 90's up on the UES.