Brooklyn residents face a chilling dilemma: Power outages in the cold! Hundreds of homes in Boreum Hill and Park Slope experienced a disruptive weekend as flickering lights and partial power failures became an unwelcome companion. But why? The culprit? A combination of melting snow and rock salt.
The issues began on Friday night, with residents like Tosca DiMatteo witnessing the eerie flickering of lights. The situation escalated as appliances began to malfunction, leaving residents like Travis Crawford with an oven fan suddenly going kaput. By Friday night, approximately 480 customers were affected, a number that swelled to 1,100 across Brooklyn by Sunday midday.
Con Edison, the utility provider, faced a challenging task due to snow-covered manholes and a hidden danger. The road salt, mixing with melting snow, can infiltrate underground and wreak havoc on electrical equipment. This made repairs a complex endeavor.
In DiMatteo's apartment, the power played a game of hide-and-seek, with some rooms lit and others dark. Thankfully, essential utilities like heat and hot water remained operational. Residents were advised to plan ahead, using gas stoves for cooking.
Con Edison deployed mobile generators to restore stability, but the outages left a mark. Jane Reisman, visiting from Seattle, shared a concerning story. Her daughter-in-law, with a new grandchild, had stored breast milk in the freezer, and the power loss threatened its preservation. A stressful situation for any new family!
Con Edison assures residents of their continued presence until full service is restored. A warming center at PS 133 on Fourth Avenue offers refuge for those in need. And here's where it gets controversial: could this situation have been prevented? Are there better ways to manage snow and salt to avoid such disruptions? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
