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Power Outages Hit Manhattan and Queens as Utilities Face Storm Damage Power Outages Hit Manhattan and Queens as Utilities Face Storm Damage
(32 minutes later)
Three days after a massive tropical storm swept through the New York City region and left more than a million people without power, much of Upper Manhattan was briefly plunged into darkness early Friday morning during a blackout. Three days after a huge tropical storm swept through the New York City region and left more than a million people without power, much of Upper Manhattan was briefly plunged into darkness early Friday morning during a blackout.
The outage lasted for less than an hour but still left tens of thousands of Con Edison customers without electricity, furthering worries about the integrity of the region's power grid that were raised by the damage caused by Tropical Storm Isaias earlier this week.The outage lasted for less than an hour but still left tens of thousands of Con Edison customers without electricity, furthering worries about the integrity of the region's power grid that were raised by the damage caused by Tropical Storm Isaias earlier this week.
Nearly an hour later, Con Edison reported a separate outage in Queens.Nearly an hour later, Con Edison reported a separate outage in Queens.
The outages have exacerbated the distress brought by the coronavirus pandemic. Many in the region who have been forced to remain at home are now without the phone or internet service required to work remotely, or air-conditioning that can bring relief in a humid New York summer.The outages have exacerbated the distress brought by the coronavirus pandemic. Many in the region who have been forced to remain at home are now without the phone or internet service required to work remotely, or air-conditioning that can bring relief in a humid New York summer.
The Manhattan outage began around 5:15 a.m., affecting about 180,000 businesses and homes in the Upper West Side, Upper East Side and Harlem, according to Con Edison. Photos and videos posted on social media showed complete darkness stretching for blocks.The Manhattan outage began around 5:15 a.m., affecting about 180,000 businesses and homes in the Upper West Side, Upper East Side and Harlem, according to Con Edison. Photos and videos posted on social media showed complete darkness stretching for blocks.
The utility said that it was investigating “a problem on our transmission system” that caused three power networks in Manhattan to “lose their electric supply.” Service had been restored by 6:45 a.m.The utility said that it was investigating “a problem on our transmission system” that caused three power networks in Manhattan to “lose their electric supply.” Service had been restored by 6:45 a.m.
As of 6 a.m., more than 130,000 customers were without service in Manhattan, according to Con Edison’s outage map. An hour later, as the utility worked to restore service, that number had dropped to around 500. Con Edison estimated power would be restored in full in the borough by 8:30 a.m.As of 6 a.m., more than 130,000 customers were without service in Manhattan, according to Con Edison’s outage map. An hour later, as the utility worked to restore service, that number had dropped to around 500. Con Edison estimated power would be restored in full in the borough by 8:30 a.m.
In Queens, more than 5,000 customers were without power in the mostly residential Middle Village neighborhood. A Con Edison spokesman said that outage was still being investigated.In Queens, more than 5,000 customers were without power in the mostly residential Middle Village neighborhood. A Con Edison spokesman said that outage was still being investigated.
It was not clear how many of the lingering outages were connected to Friday’s blackout and how many may have been tied to damage caused by Tropical Storm Isaias.It was not clear how many of the lingering outages were connected to Friday’s blackout and how many may have been tied to damage caused by Tropical Storm Isaias.
Across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, more than a million customers were left without power after the storm brought dangerous wind gusts and driving rains to the region. Utility companies have said that some businesses and homes could be in the dark into next week, as part of what is emerging as the worst natural disaster to hit the area since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, more than a million customers were left without power after the storm brought dangerous wind gusts and driving rains to the region on Tuesday.
Utility companies have said that some businesses and homes could be in the dark into next week, as part of what is emerging as the worst natural disaster to hit the area since Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
After the storm, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York called for an investigation into the state’s utilities, accusing them of not adequately preparing.
“We don’t contract for sunny day service,” Mr. Cuomo said on Thursday. “We contract for every day service.”
The governor has often criticized utilities over power outages following storms or unexpected blackouts — including in July 2019, when an equipment failure at a Con Edison substation caused an hourslong blackout on Manhattan’s West Side.
New York City took less of a hit from the storm than its surrounding suburbs. Nearly 60,000 residents were still without power on Friday morning, most of them in Queens.New York City took less of a hit from the storm than its surrounding suburbs. Nearly 60,000 residents were still without power on Friday morning, most of them in Queens.
Con Edison had not yet identified the causes of either of Friday morning’s outages but did not believe they were connected to any lingering effects from the tropical storm.Con Edison had not yet identified the causes of either of Friday morning’s outages but did not believe they were connected to any lingering effects from the tropical storm.
The outage briefly halted service on several subway lines — the 1, 2, 3, A, B, C, D, E, F, N, Q, R and W trains — and brought delays to the Metro-North Railroad.The outage briefly halted service on several subway lines — the 1, 2, 3, A, B, C, D, E, F, N, Q, R and W trains — and brought delays to the Metro-North Railroad.