This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/30/sandy-storm-power-outages-restoration

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Sandy leaves millions in the dark as officials warn restoration will be slow Sandy leaves millions in the dark as officials warn restoration will be slow
(10 days later)
Millions of people on the US east coast faced the prospect several days without power after superstorm Sandy ripped through power lines on her arch north.Millions of people on the US east coast faced the prospect several days without power after superstorm Sandy ripped through power lines on her arch north.
As of midday Tuesday, some 8.2 million homes and businesses had been caught up in mass outages across New York, New Jersey and further afield.As of midday Tuesday, some 8.2 million homes and businesses had been caught up in mass outages across New York, New Jersey and further afield.
With transport down and roads still hazardous due to strong winds, utility firms were facing an uphill battle to hook up electricity to homes across the region.With transport down and roads still hazardous due to strong winds, utility firms were facing an uphill battle to hook up electricity to homes across the region.
Densely populated lower Manhattan was one of the worst hit areas. Storm surges of up to 11ft flooded streets, wiping out power and dimming the New York skyline.Densely populated lower Manhattan was one of the worst hit areas. Storm surges of up to 11ft flooded streets, wiping out power and dimming the New York skyline.
Consolidated Edison (ConEd) estimated that around 684,000 customers in and around New York City were left reaching for the candles, and attempting to find alternatives to TV and internet for entertainment.Consolidated Edison (ConEd) estimated that around 684,000 customers in and around New York City were left reaching for the candles, and attempting to find alternatives to TV and internet for entertainment.
"This is the largest storm-related outage in our history," ConEd's senior vice-president John Miksad said Tuesday."This is the largest storm-related outage in our history," ConEd's senior vice-president John Miksad said Tuesday.
He cautioned against thinking that the lights would go on for all affected customers in the coming hours, emphasizing that crews must assess the damage before making repairs and that as of Tuesday morning many areas remained underwater.He cautioned against thinking that the lights would go on for all affected customers in the coming hours, emphasizing that crews must assess the damage before making repairs and that as of Tuesday morning many areas remained underwater.
The power firm estimated that customers in Brooklyn and Manhattan served by underground electric cables should have power back within four days. But for those connected by overhead wires, the wait could be in excess of a week.The power firm estimated that customers in Brooklyn and Manhattan served by underground electric cables should have power back within four days. But for those connected by overhead wires, the wait could be in excess of a week.
In remote areas serviced by hanging power lines, the recovery process could be hampered by roads being blocked by fallen trees or floodwater.In remote areas serviced by hanging power lines, the recovery process could be hampered by roads being blocked by fallen trees or floodwater.
Meanwhile restoring underground lines takes time, with repair staff having to clean all equipment from sea water, before drying and testing before switching the switch back on.Meanwhile restoring underground lines takes time, with repair staff having to clean all equipment from sea water, before drying and testing before switching the switch back on.
In Manhattan alone 183,000 customers were subjected to power outages. Some of the cut-offs were deliberate. Electricity companies had turned off power in sections of the financial district to protect underground equipment.In Manhattan alone 183,000 customers were subjected to power outages. Some of the cut-offs were deliberate. Electricity companies had turned off power in sections of the financial district to protect underground equipment.
Others were not planned, such as an outage caused by a blowout at a sub-station on NYC's East River.Others were not planned, such as an outage caused by a blowout at a sub-station on NYC's East River.
For most in Manhattan, the blackouts were an irritant. For others the prospects were more worrying. Concern is likely to turn to the impact of any prolonged power outage on elderly and vulnerable residents.For most in Manhattan, the blackouts were an irritant. For others the prospects were more worrying. Concern is likely to turn to the impact of any prolonged power outage on elderly and vulnerable residents.
At the New York University hospital on the east of the island, a power outage amounted to an emergency situation. A back-up generator failed to kick-in, leaving 200 patients needing evacuation to other centres across Manhattan.At the New York University hospital on the east of the island, a power outage amounted to an emergency situation. A back-up generator failed to kick-in, leaving 200 patients needing evacuation to other centres across Manhattan.
Amongst them were 20 babies from the neonatal intensive care unit. They were carried down flights of stairs while nurses and doctors used battery-operated respirators to regulate the newborns' breathing.Amongst them were 20 babies from the neonatal intensive care unit. They were carried down flights of stairs while nurses and doctors used battery-operated respirators to regulate the newborns' breathing.
In all, some 2.3 million people in New York state were left without power. That figure was matched in neighbouring New Jersey, which shouldered the brunt of Sandy's impact.In all, some 2.3 million people in New York state were left without power. That figure was matched in neighbouring New Jersey, which shouldered the brunt of Sandy's impact.
Speaking on Fox News, New Jersey governor Chris Christie said the storm had knocked out power to 2.4 million people in the state.Speaking on Fox News, New Jersey governor Chris Christie said the storm had knocked out power to 2.4 million people in the state.
After tropical storm Irene last year, it took New Jersey eight days to get back on track, Christie said. "This may take longer," he added.After tropical storm Irene last year, it took New Jersey eight days to get back on track, Christie said. "This may take longer," he added.
It wasn't only those two states that suffered. In Pennsylvania 1.2 million homes were without electricity, and in Connecticut, 615,000 families went powerless.It wasn't only those two states that suffered. In Pennsylvania 1.2 million homes were without electricity, and in Connecticut, 615,000 families went powerless.
Meanwhile, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, West Virginia and Ohio all noted that more than 100,000 had been subjected to outages.Meanwhile, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, West Virginia and Ohio all noted that more than 100,000 had been subjected to outages.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.