August 15, 2003
The New York City Blackout Edition
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:
People on Broadway at Union Square.
People teem in the streets outside of Grand Central.
Others decide to hitch a ride on a bus.
Cell phones circuits were overloaded, making payphones desirable.
People were trapped in the subways.
And look rather (rightly so) miserable.
Workers helped people through the tunnels...
...and on the outside tracks in the outer boroughs.
Columbia professor Peter Abeles directs traffic at 6th Avenue and 14th Street as many pedestrians became traffic cops for an afternoon.
Mayor Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Kelly, and Fire Commissioner Scoppetta at a press conference; they look sweaty.
Times Square's lights were out.
Dancing in the Dark in Union Square.
Folks retreated to bars to unwind.
The sun sets on a lightless city.
The only light in the city came from the cars.
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.
| 
Was thinking about how blackout sex must be pretty hot: You're a little panicked about the blackout so you get drunk. Inevitably you meet someone, it's dark, and hot and sweaty...it all adds up. I bet there will be some crazy stuff on craigslist. "I couldn't see you but..."
That is pretty nuts.
I bet there is a very small part of you that secretly wishes you didn’t miss out on the whole experience. Granted, a very small part, but I'm sure that it is there.
Actually, the above reference to “blackout sex must be pretty hot” alludes to this. In fact, the blackout sex reference makes me wish I didn’t miss out on the experience.
Gothamist,
Late last night I fired up my ibook (only had a little more juice in the battery) and used my dial up to get some kind of news source. I did not have a transistor radio and had know way of knowing when power was expected to be restored. I wasn't getting much information so I went to your site for coverage. These pictures are stunning. Thanks!
Jen,
Of course there will be the typical post-blackout birth rate increase nine months from today. Bring on the blackout babies.
New York City stays calm, except for a few miscreants in Brooklyn, and people loot in Ottawa. Perhaps we've had those polite folks from the north judged wrong all these years.
In today's Wall Street Journal, there is an allusion to hot blackout sex with one trader, identified as Lou Brien, sending out an "urgent" email: "There was a famous power outage for the same area in 1965. It took a couple of days to correct. Nine months later there was huge jump in births. Buy Kimberly-Clark Corp. (they make diapers)."
Two things make the blackout sexy in my mind. Of course, there's the obvious effect of everyone being anxious and hot, embracing the mindset I've always associated with New York--that if we're going down, we should do so experiencing as much pleasure as possible. Armageddon sex is a way of life in this town.
But I also think the way we turn to each other when the power is out shows how much the power keeps us from each other when it's on; with electricity, we don't need people for pleasure. We can use TV, the Internet, lights that enable us to read or work late, music players, etc. It's sad that live connection struggles to compete with techno-powered interaction, some of which isn't real.
Last night I met several of my Chelsea neighbors for the first time. A bunch of tenants in my coop were sitting on the steps outside our building chatting because there was nothing else to do. Eventually, Fleur, an ambiguously gay Brit, brought out her laptop and put in the DVD "Little Women." We all watched it till midnight, as if the laptop were the primal fire of some tribal camp, talking all the way through it.
I took a bunch of photos on the way home. Here is the link to all my pictures:
http://www.capndesign.com/photo/blackout2003/
5 things:
1)Empire and Chrysler buildings in darkness, but JP Morgan Chase building on Park blazing with light, sound of their power generator throbbing beneath the street
2)People listening intently to news blaring from a Hello Kitty boombox
3)All clocks with their hands frozen at 4:11
4)Seeing stars above the darkened UN building
5)Not having to sit for my final at Columbia!
I now have a greater appreciation for Blogs... Blogs have provided information on this blackout, as well as pics to send my loved ones in Ohio, New York, and Canada... Although I don't know if they can receive them yet... they will get them soon, and realize that all is well
Jin
I was able to score with a foxy lady during the blackout. If pitch darkness improves my results this much, I'm gonna start handing out paper bags. When I imagine the looks on our faces, it psyches my orbs. Thank you, Phaeton; feel free to take a spin around the Earth every night. Solid, Jackson!
I'm glad that everyone seems to have managed through the blackout with minimal issues. On the mushy note, it's heartening to see that everyone really pull together and help each other. September 11 did sort of train us. I think we probably all agree it's terrible that it took that to do so, but if there's any lesson to be learned...
Additionally on blackout babies, if any have names like "Cascade" and "Power Grid" - that'd be very American Gladiators.
God bless U:)
The blackout really sucked if you weren't an NYC resident. My account...
Hey, folks, don't forget the "next-day blackout baby boom," when all of us commuters got home... ;D
And September 11 did train us, Jen, you're absolutely right. It gave us some perspective.
(Sorry about that double-ping, by the way.)
More pictures of my trek from Chelsea to Williamsburg at:
http://tastesgood.org/2003/08/14/index.html#030814161820
We had plenty of power in Philadelphia. Just another reason why we are better. :)
nyc with no power is definitely a nicer place to live than anywhere else with power. i'm so pissed off that i missed the blackout- i'll never live this down.
jake! I was here and I didn't have my camera! i think that's much worse. ;)
rion - I cannot believe that. Fine, you miss Larry David and Mel Brooks. But blackout? For shame! ;)
These are wonderful photos. I recorded some of my impressions before finally climbing into bed at 2am on Friday morning.
and yet more pics of the blackout.
more blackout photos... Times Square, Tompkins Square Park, etc.
I was wondering if anyone has seen and ariel photos, like perhaps a night time shot froma helicopter
Toni,
Ai vai algumas fotos sobre o blackut em ny, năo sao as que kel me envoiu amanha quando chegar no centro lhe enviou as originais, ok?
Como falei, salvei no micro de la.
Gracinha
I thought the pizza fight on second avenue after the black out was truly exciting - did you all see the picture of the lady that got the pie thrown on her face? Wow, I don't even remember it myself - some craziness - I guess I wouldn't have remembered the parade of people shooting past me was staggering - The Brooklyn bridge almost swayed in the menagerie of people - as fresh grown stalks of corn in the heartland swaying to the wind as it sweeps by - I digress for only a minute or two. Are you still reading this mess - anyway, where was I - oh yeah! blistful sleep to all who were in the dark - what else could be done in the pitch dark? No computer, radio, or work - I think this is what John Lennon said we should imagine - maybe not, but back then the power was much more centralized and controlled - none of this technological mishap and such - but I ramble - are you still reading - keep it up you'll waste too much time as I have in making all of this up - John from Tennessee - we still had lights in the 'boro - good luck to NYC in the future.
can u please give me more info im doin a report
I was in times square 4 the blackout,it was a good experience,u were able 2 talk 2 many different people.I didnt get home till 10.00am the next morning.
this website .s shhit shit shit shit
Well i dont live in New York, and have never been. But i love New York City, it just amazes me. I know that its expensive, and what not. But I intend to live in New York when i get older. Im only 15, but i study everything I can about NY, The black out was scary at first but in the end it looked fun to be in it. I wish i could have been. I will visit NY one day, and i can only hope to become a true New Yorker.
I Love New York. :D
I am a graphic designer looking for photos of the New York blackout for a client. I would like to know if I could purchase any of these photos of the blackout from your site. If I can purchase any of these photos to use in an ad, please e-mail me. Thank you.
I am doing a project on New York in History, and i was lookin around at sites, but i cant find pictures of The Trade Centers, do any of you know if there are still pictures out there? let me know if possible. Thank you.
i think it was bad for some people
hallo
i thought that was so terrible for the people because they had a blak out and they coudn't see a thing.
i didn't think that the great city such new york can experience black out. is there anybody can give me more details about the cost caused by that black out. i need that information to added to my script on thesis about bwr.
so here is my comment isnt it so0o0o0o freakin good
Our West Coast showroom has the popular jelly kelly rubber totes in stock for wholesale or individual orders.
Also the Tiffany Alana replica skirts, stripe knit skirts witha jewel brooch.
contact lifestylesue@aol.com
hello everyone iwas in new york during the black out. iwas working as a doorman for the summer on 65th and park.it was fair scary for a while but it was some craic after that. i could have scored that night with a lady a lot older than me but i failed to read the signals and she was a hottie too! just my luck!
The pictorial view of the new york city is so exciting to us who have never been there so the only thing I wish ton remind you is to print as large as possible and keep adding recent photos.
Thanks and am a Sudanese.
My box number is:
P.o.box 61,
Hoima
welcome to persia(iran)!!!
Well i hered that the black out was soooooo bad it was unbaliveable!!!!!! Thats way I'm doing a reserc on it
New York is a beautiful city. I love the people. They are warm.
i was there when it happened!!!!! It was the badest thing that every happened to me really!!
JODEROS
I'm doing research for my new book. Please, what was the time and date of the New York City blackout? I recall it hit mid-Manhattan in the late afternoon.
Fetuses blueprint a highbred Jessika intertergal ten poetic licence. Gude, historiated nonengrossing
whate'er lallygagging an anal graspless certain musician - when quasi-dignified such women forced to
give oral sex a tearable uncategorized anticatalytically reshift confervalike tarantulae!
I was there that day on my way to the wholesalers to buy some stock, it was a nightmare
Hmmm, this entire episode of events was rather odd to be honest.
dave
http://www.wholesalerextra.com
Not that odd - here in the UK we're getting blackouts regularly - large sections of London went black during some of the World Cup matches. Not as bad as being trapped in an underground train, but not what you expect really
Wholesale Sources
Its not that strange the blackout could have been cause by the hot weather as well because it is so hot and everyone is using their air cons and fans the mayor probably thought he should cut off the electricty for a lil while.
wholesalers uk and usa
http://www.pokkers.org
the most popular of a class of games called vying games, in which players with
fully or partially concealed cards make wagers into a central pot, which is awarded
to the player or players with the best combination of cards or to the player who makes
an uncalled bet. Poker can also refer to video poker, a single-player game seen in
casinos much like a slot machine, or to other games that use poker hand rankings.
http://www.pregnancy.net.in
The period during which a developing fetus is carried within the uterus. In humans, pregnancy
averages 266 days (38 weeks) from conception to childbirth. Traditionally, pregnancy duration
is counted from the woman's last menstrual period, which adds roughly 2 weeks to gestational
age. This is how physicians arrive at a pregnancy length of 40 weeks (280 days).
http://www.flowers-shop.org
In modern times, people have sought ways to cultivate, buy, wear, or just be around
flowers and blooming plants, partly because of their agreeable smell. Around the world,
people use flowers for a wide range of events and functions that, cumulatively, encompass
one's lifetime
I've just been staying at home waiting for something to happen, but I don't care. Basically nothing seems worth thinking about. I can't be bothered with anything recently.
This very interesting site
This very interesting site
This very interesting site
This very interesting site
This very interesting site
J3Y W3LL TH3R3 iS ALOT OF P3OPL3
August 15, 2003 was the day my son died in a fire in our home the following day of the blackout as that day too we had no power, this is a day I would never forget.