Major power surge in NY? (Blackout is in NYC, Detroit, Ottawa and Toronto, per Fox News)

8-14-03 | Joe Hadenuf

[Betteboop]

No, it's 20 city blocks to the mile!

[P.O.E.]

McCheesey acts like the 42nd president.

Have a nice weekend!

[nutmeg]

When I got home from work yesterday, I made sure my elderly aunt was OK (She had just returned from shopping when it hit. If she was 10 minutes later, she would have been stranded downstairs)

Thanks for your interesting story (way back in post #3485)! Glad your aunt is OK... what great timing.

[nutmeg]

You'd be surprised how refreshed one can get taking a mock shower with 2 pots of water and a washcloth.

Oh, I know all about this. Although we didn't lose power at all yesterday (lights just flickered), we live in the woods and have well water. When the power goes out (often in the dead of winter) so does the water! :-(

Give me "city water" any day!

[nutmeg]

Well, when our computers started to flicker at 3:30, I thought it was my eyes. Then blooie-- - darkness except for a few emergency lights. We waited around for a few minutes to see if the power would come back on, but it soon became apparent that we were in the midst of a blackout.

First hurdle...evacuate the building. That meant descending from the 45th floor. On the way to the stairs, we could hear the emergency alarms inside the elevators. There were people stuck inside. By the time we arrived at the lobby, my knees were shaking. I had a couple of heavy bags to carry which I did not want to leave behind.

I then had to decide the next step. That was to take the ferry to N.J. Since I had never taken the ferry from downtown, I soon found out I had plenty of walking to do to get there. About half of the way, I took my shoes off. I was wearing new leather flip flops and they gave me some nasty blisters. I soon found myself on a mile long line in the blazing sun barefoot. I was on that line for over an hour. Finally got a ferry and was home by 6:30. I was one of the lucky ones.

I couldn't get in touch with my daughter who was working at NY Sports Club. Both their lines and her cell phone was down. We finally made contact at about 7:30. She wound up staying in N.Y. with friends at their apartment up near Columbia University. I don't know exactly what time the power was restored here in NJ. I kept wakimg up every couple of hours. I think it came back on around 5:30 AM. It was tough trying to sleep in this heat.

I just heard that only 20% of the power has been restored in NYC. The subways are not running, Port Authority bus terminal is not open, but the tunnels are open. I tried calling my firm's emergency numbers, but the lines are down. I guess I'll be staying home today.

Whew! I finally found you on this massive thread. Glad to hear you and Noelita are OK.

What a story... I kinda figured you had one! I'm amazed you made it home by 6:30... you definitely made the right decision in taking that ferry.

[lavrenti]

The biggest secret in Manhattan was the Chase branch at 40 Rock.

The existence of those little-touched ATMs were a whispered secret all day today. I think it will become a legend.

[lavrenti]

I have to come down to your nabe tomorrow to get caught up on work missed today.

Back to zero near Ground Zero.

[NYC GOP Chick]

How will you get here if the subways aren't back in service?

[nonliberal]

The first thing that came to mind was Atlas Shrugged.

[Joe Hadenuf]

"Atlas Shrugged".

That only applies to California doesn't it?

Sarcasm.

[ehoxha]

That was to take the ferry to N.J. Since I had never taken the ferry from downtown

wadda you think about those people going for a afternoon sail from North Cove while you were sweltering in that huge line for the Ferries ?

[nutmeg]

I'm sorry... I don't understand your post (#3,511). I wasn't in NYC yesterday, nor in line for a ferry. I'm not familiar with North Cove either. Was your post meant for someone else?

[nutmeg]

I was literally about to get into the elevator.
The door opened and suddenly the hallway went dark. Another 30 seconds, and I would have had a REALLY bad day.

Wow, close call! Glad to hear you're OK and back online.

[The Westerner]

Are you thinking of the last scene (before the epilogue)as the heroes look down on Manhattan?

[JustPiper]

Conservative Patriots do care ;)

[JustPiper]

I think her reelect is next year no? Not sure.

I heard on the news today we should not develop a false sense of security just because there was no bio/chem attack yesterday. They say its not because the terrorists are stupid or didn't grab this opportunity, nor that our security is so great. The reporter said it could be they tested this scenario to see the loopholes ;(

[JustPiper]

Unbelivable graphic, thanx Mo!

[JustPiper]

Wonder if it was hacking sabotage?

[JustPiper]

What I do is read the first few hundred, skip several hundred and then I went to about the last 500 and I know being we think alike that I'm going to read your post seeing your handle ;)

[JustPiper]

Thank you so much Matthew but don't forget my city Chicago is sister to Warsaw ;) We also have many tough and good hearted folx like NY and the country of Poland ;)