Dramatic pictures from exactly 15 years ago reveal the chaos and confusion caused in New York City by the biggest power cut in US history


*. On August 14, 2003, tree branches interfered with power lines in Ohio, causing a massive chain reaction that would knock out power for 60 million people.

*. The outage affected New York, Cleveland, Detroit, Toronto, and Ottawa.

*. While most areas had their power restored within a few hours, it took about 30 hours for officials to reconnect New York City to the grid.

*. Images from that day show masses of commuters walking across the East River crossings, stranded subway riders being rescued inside tunnels, and people sleeping on the sidewalks.







Stunning images have emerged showing New York City being plunged into complete, almost pitch-black darkness during the 2003 blackout that affected the Northeast United States and parts of Canada.

It was a regular mid-August day 15 years ago and the temperature outside in New York City was hovering around 90 degrees.

As is usually the case during the summer time, electricity usage was above average as 20 million customers in New York State kept themselves cool indoors.

But just after 4pm, everything changed.


Just before people started to head home for the rush hour commute, 21 power plants shut down within a span of three minutes.


The Empire State building in midtown New York City is dark with a few lights onin surrounding buildings as a ferry passes on the Hudson River as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey on August 14, 2003.


Cars are seen on the FDR Drive as they drive by darkened buildings in Lower Manhatan.




http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6057157/Dramatic-images-15-years-ago-chaos-caused-2003-New-York-City-blackout.html
Lalasticlala, Mynd44

The largest power blackout in U.S. history rolled across a vast swath of the northern United States as well as southern Canada on Thursday, driving millions of people outdoors into stifling rush hour streets, then darkness.

Commuters were forced to use the pedestrian walkway on the Brooklyn Bridge because the subways shut down.


Pedestrians and traffic leaving downtown Manhattan crossing the Queensboro Bridge after the onset of the largest power blackout in American history.

Mynd44

Op, we are in Nigeria and used to darkness.

No light in the country and no one will say a word.
Generators to the rescue

Who get generator for New York?

New Yorkers are seen above waiting outside Grand Central Station on August 15, 2003.

The busy terminal is a vital link that connects commuters from New York City's northern suburbs and Connecticut to Manhattan.

On the second day of the massive power failure, stressed travelers try to get out of New York City at a crowded and closed Port Authority bus station.

The subway station at 23rd street and 6th avenue in Manhattan is empty after the blackout hit.

For Nigeria na normal thing na.

People sleep on the sidewalk outside the Renaisance Hotel during the blackout on August 15, 2003.


People prefer to rest on the sidewalks rather than make the long-distance journey home by foot.

Commuters sleep on the steps of the Post Office on 33rd Street and Eighth Avenue in New York during the early hours of Friday, August 15, 2003.


People try to board the back of a crowded New York bus in Manhattan on August 14.

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The power companies did manage to get their grids back online in a few places, but a blackout persisted in New York City for more than a day.


New York City police officer Paul Piotrowski watches over pedestrians leaving downtown Manhattan and crossing the Brooklyn Bridge.

Pedestrians and bicycle riders make the trek across the Brooklyn Bridge after the power outage shut down subway service.

The outage stopped trains and elevators, and disrupted everything from cellular telephone service to operations at hospitals to traffic at airports.


Stranded travelers try to keep cool in Grand Central Terminal. It took more than30 hours for power to come back in the New York area.

Bike man abeg drop me here na explorer dey run show

These vendors decided to relieve the stress of the average New Yorker by selling cold beers during the blackout.

Brooklyn residents are forced to eat by candlelight at a local restaurant on the night of August 14, 2003.

Transit officials guide stranded subway commuters out of a subway car during the outage.

A police officer directs traffic at a darkened intersection during the historic blackout which knocked out traffic lights.


After the nation's worst ever blackout, utilities have made improvements and New York has spent millions of dollars on new high-tech gadgets to avert the chaos that followed

Nigeria, good people great nation

This is sure FP.

30 hours?
Good for them
I hope someone is not trying to compare Nigeria with this,

If this happens on Nigeria, 6 months the community is still contributing money for transformers and poles

P

krattoss:
Nigeria, good people great nation

You say wetin? Abeg no vex me this morning..

O sharo kutukutu..

Hakeem12:
wow, just 30 hours.




There are many places in this country that have gone without light for months and yet, Nigerians are used to it.

guy the last time i saw light in my town was 2004,if u doubt me i will call the name and u ask.its somewhere in delta

this is one of the major disadvantages of over reliance on technology, many might even lose their lives in such situation. any still waiting for the Nigeria will celebrate 30 hours of light

Hakeem12:
That's crazy, 2004? That's what happens in a country laden with corrupt people as leaders.

the only good business here is laundry and charging of phone biz

booqee:
You say wetin? Abeg no vex me this morning..

O sharo kutukutu..

monkey no fine buh him mama like am

Just like yesterday

power outage for just few hours nd everything/everyone got confused nd was turned upside down.......HERE in naija!, we've been making steady progress on a seemingly high key on low availability of power NOT to talk of when availability is maximum!!....Believe me U, Nigerians r a special kind of human breed joor!.........Na just bad leadership mehn! bad leadership!

Hakeem12:
wow, just 30 hours.




There are many places in this country that have gone without light for months and yet, Nigerians are used to it.

no mind them. 30 hours.. Nigerian celebrate darkness more than light..

Vote for me I will convert Nigeria to new york

Explorals my guy!
u really need to creat ur own tv station... well done

It is only in africa that there will be power outage, my neighbour will come and check if i am also in darkness.

See informative and Educative topic sleeping here on back page of nairaland and these moderators will be pushing Boring and fake topic to the frontpage

30hrs only, & they are...

Just like Arsenal & defeat; we are used to it.