Extreme Heat Causes Widespread Power Outages in Tri-State Area

Widespread Power Outages

• ⚡ Con Edison reported over 13,000 customers without power on Monday night due to extreme heat.
• 🔌 PSE&G in New Jersey had nearly 21,000 customers in the dark.

Impact on Residents

• 🏠 Residents in Glenn Oaks, Queens, experienced power loss, with one family losing power around 2:30 AM.
• 🥵 The heat made indoor temperatures unbearable, with one resident stating it felt cooler outside than in their living room.
• 👵 Many seniors in the Glenn Oaks Village co-ops were severely affected and found the conditions dangerous.

Utility Response and Challenges

• 🛠️ Con Edison crews worked throughout the day and into the evening to repair equipment.
• 📉 To conserve energy, Con Edison reduced voltage by 8% in affected areas, including parts of Staten Island and Northwest Brooklyn.
• 🏙️ The city's underground infrastructure is particularly susceptible to heat, trapping temperatures and exacerbating problems.
• 📞 The co-op office in Glenn Oaks received about 1,300 phone calls by late afternoon.

Preparedness and Future Concerns

• 🧊 Dry ice was distributed to impacted residents to help preserve food, with concerns about potential Tuesday temperature spikes.
• ⚠️ The co-op president expressed fear about the rest of the summer if the grid cannot handle the load on the first day of summer.
• 💡 Con Edison is asking customers to reduce energy consumption during these hot days and may distribute more dry ice if needed.