What happens when the world’s best known city suffers through a complete unplanned blackout resulting in citizens stranded on the subway, in elevators, roads and streets? Pure chaos.
But despite the blackout that went on for hours and the total chaos on the streets with traffic completely comeing to a standstill, New Yorkers have been known to not sweat the small stuff. Business went on as usual and the residents took to Twitter to express their delight at the city enjoying the unexpected.
CNN reports that New Yorkers however took things in their stride and didn’t let the power outage stop their fun. People started directing traffic and one troupe from a cancelled Broadway show performed for fans on a crowded sidewalk.
Impromptu performance #broadwayblackout @wecomefromaway pic.twitter.com/PfHYZeFJ6v
— Chad Kimball (@chadkimball1) July 14, 2019
When there’s a blackout at @hadestown we take the party outside! #oohitsablackout pic.twitter.com/DCOwQWqRaq
— Kimberly Marable (@misskimizzo) July 14, 2019
The ‘city that never sleeps’ had to cancel a bunch of Broadway shows due to the power outage as well. One Twitter user noted a dozen or more shows cancelled including The Lion King, Frozen, Hadestown, and more.
Shows confirmed to be canceled tonight:
Hadestown
Moulin Rouge
Aladdin
Harry Potter
Frozen
Lion King
Cher Show
What the Constitution Means to Me
Ain’t Too Proud
Frankie and JohnnyCarnegie Hall and Lincoln Center shows down for the count, too. #blackouthttps://t.co/uIF9YuX49p
— Nancy Coleman (@nancylcoleman) July 14, 2019
@cnn @HamiltonMusical was cancelled due to the blackout. The cast sang to us from above the Rodgers Theater in NY. It was awesome! pic.twitter.com/HV6cf1tTzG
— Antony (@lemonfuzz) July 14, 2019
I guess this is what they call a New York moment. After being trapped on the F for an hour because of the power outage I emerged to see dark restaurants & traffic lights, civilians directing traffic, & an evacuated Carnegie Hall concert happening in the street. #nyc #Blackout pic.twitter.com/3p9UWtRrel
— Briallen Hopper (@briallenhopper) July 14, 2019
The Empire State building, Chrysler Tower, Times Square, and other famous Manhattan landmarks also went dark as a result of the outage.
The @EmpireStateBldg along with other structures in Manhattan are dark due to a massive power outage In Midtown, Times Square, and other sections of Manhattan on Saturday July 13, 2019 in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo @UPI #blackout pic.twitter.com/32lcqSwOcH
— UPI Photos (@UPIPhotos) July 14, 2019
The power outage also resulted in J-Lo cancelling her Madison Square Garden concert.
“I just don’t even know what to say. I just want you guys to know that you’re gonna get your money’s worth — that we are going to come back and do an amazing show for you. I am so sorry that this happened,” she said on her Instagram.
Coincidentally, the power outage affected the city 42 years to the day after The Great Blackout of 1977 that left most of New York City without electricity.
Power was restored to the city before midnight, and the outage affected an area from 71st Street south to 42nd Street and east from the West Side Highway to Fifth Avenue.
Here’s what New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo had to say:
Power has been restored after today's #blackout, but New Yorkers should continue to exercise caution as everything returns to normal.
When things are at their worst, New Yorkers are at their best, and they were at their best tonight.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 14, 2019
