Residents in Boreum Hill and Park Slope, Brooklyn, experienced widespread power disruptions beginning late Friday night, impacting hundreds of customers through the weekend. Reports included flickering lights, partial outages, and appliances unexpectedly shutting off.
Power Outages Disrupt Brooklyn Neighborhoods
The issues began with flickering lights, according to Boreum Hill resident Tosca DiMatteo. Travis Crawford, also a local resident, described an instance where the fan in his oven stopped working mid-use. By 10 p.m. on Friday, approximately 480 Con Edison customers were without service. That number rose to around 1,100 by midday Sunday.
Con Edison dispatched crews to address the outages, but repairs were hampered by snowpack covering manholes. The utility reported that the combination of road salt and melting snow infiltrating underground infrastructure was a contributing factor to the disruptions.
While some residents experienced complete loss of power in certain areas of their homes, others, like DiMatteo, maintained partial service, with heat, hot water, and refrigeration still functioning. DiMatteo noted the need to adjust, stating, “We just have to plan ahead. We have a gas stove, so we can turn it on and make some eggs or something.”
To mitigate the impact, Con Edison deployed mobile generators. However, the outages created additional stress for some families, including Jane Reisman, who was visiting from Seattle to assist her son and his family with a new baby. Reisman expressed concern about her daughter-in-law’s stored breast milk and the challenges of preparing for the baby’s upcoming childcare arrangements.
Con Edison stated that crews will continue working until full service is restored. Residents in need of warmth or assistance were directed to a warming center at PS 133 on Fourth Avenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the power outages?
According to Con Edison, the power outages were caused by service interruptions, and repairs were challenging due to snowpack covering manholes and road salt mixing with melting snow damaging electrical equipment.
How many customers were affected?
Roughly 480 customers were experiencing service interruptions by 10 p.m. on Friday. By midday Sunday, that number had climbed to about 1,100 customers across parts of Brooklyn.
Where could residents find assistance?
For residents needing warmth or assistance, PS 133 on Fourth Avenue was open as a warming center.
As crews continue their work, residents may experience intermittent power fluctuations. How will the ongoing repairs impact daily life for those affected?
