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The New York City Blackout Edition


By

Jen Chung

Published Aug 15, 2003

Modified Mar 6, 2008


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By

Jen Chung

Published Aug 15, 2003

Modified Mar 6, 2008


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We're only publishing one post today - The New York City Blackout Edition. Gothamist was struck by the poetry of the photographs. Here are some of the memorable images from yesterday:

Photo - NY Times
People on Broadway at Union Square.

Blackout; Photo - AP
People teem in the streets outside of Grand Central.

Blackout; Photo - AP
Others decide to hitch a ride on a bus.

Blackout; Photo - AP
Cell phones circuits were overloaded, making payphones desirable.

Blackout; Photo - AP
People were trapped in the subways.

Blackout; Photo - AP
And look rather (rightly so) miserable.

Blackout; Photo - AP
Workers helped people through the tunnels...

Blackout; Photo - AP
...and on the outside tracks in the outer boroughs.

Blackout; Photo - AP
Columbia professor Peter Abeles directs traffic at 6th Avenue and 14th Street as many pedestrians became traffic cops for an afternoon.

Blackout; Photo - AP
Mayor Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Kelly, and Fire Commissioner Scoppetta at a press conference; they look sweaty.

Blackout; Photo - AP
Times Square's lights were out.

Blackout; Photo - AP
Dancing in the Dark in Union Square.

Blackout; Photo - AP
Folks retreated to bars to unwind.

Blackout; Photo - Vincent LaForet, NY Times
The sun sets on a lightless city.

Blackout; Photo - AP
The only light in the city came from the cars.

Blackout; Photo - AP
People cross the Brooklyn Bridge.

Coverage from other sources:
The New York Times on the blackout, how the power outage was not related to terrorism, how New Yorkers are dealing, airport travel woes and how the nightlife keeps beating, even without power. Also, how energy officials thinks the power system has its flaws (ya think?) and being stuck in an elevator or subway.

The NY post on the blackout, anxiety, and the grid riddle (hereafter known as the "griddle" - no, that's no good). And the Mets were blackout-ed.

The Daily News on the blackout, the "special hell" of subways during power outages, Mayor Bloomberg's actions, and how the US and Canada are blaming each other. And Mike Lupica on being at ESPNZone in Times Square yesterday.

The Washington Post on how NY media is still getting the news out, what happened with the power grid (they don't know), and how DC was unaffected (smug bastards).

- Yesterday's power levels for NY from Q Daily.
- A Blackout moblog.
- Gothamist will wait for various blackout-related missed connections on craigslist.

Gothamist is heading back to NY as you read this. We're not sure how connected we'll be this weekend, so if we're not updated, know that we wish everyone very well and try to stay cool. Gothamist thinks it's one of those character building things.

Last year's below 14th Street blackout (due to Con Ed fire) at Bluejake.

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Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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