Power Restored In Manhattan After Massive Blackout Ends Broadway Shows, JLo Concert – Update

A massive power outage struck New York Saturday evening, causing traffic nightmares, leaving tourists confused and sending Broadway audiences spilling into the streets.

Reports of a blackout began to surface on social media around 7 p.m. ET. Just before midnight, the city’s power company, Con Edison, announced electricity was almost fully restored. At the height of the outage, local media reports said about 70,000 customers were without power.

Photos showed major landmarks without electricity, including Rockefeller Center and Times Square, where tourists stared at the blank electronic screens.

Some Broadway productions were forced to cancel shows, and a Jennifer Lopez concert at Madison Square Garden abruptly ended mid-song. Dramatic video posted on Twitter showed the moment the concert went dark.

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The New York Fire Department said a transformer fire at West 64th Street and West End Avenue caused blackout. Among the areas affected were the Upper West Side, Midtown and Hell’s Kitchen.

Getting around the city became a challenge after several subway stations lost power. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority posted a thread of tweets, saying service was “significantly disrupted.” At one point, the MTA urged residents “to avoid below-ground subway stations” until Con Edison could restore power.

NBC News correspondent and anchor, Kate Snow, tweeted a picture of a dark hallway at the network’s headquarters, and said staffers were forced to use backup generators to broadcast Saturday’s edition of the Nightly News.

“Here’s how we’re on TV for NBC Nightly News from 30 Rock in the midst of a blackout in parts of midtown Manhattan. Backup generators in one small studio,” she tweeted.

Hearst media group producer, Derek Turner, also took to Twitter to share a picture of a man directing traffic after the street lights went out.

“Just a civilian directing traffic at W 49th and 9th Avenue,” Turner tweeted.

Officials said there was no indication of intentional sabotage. No serious injuries or fatalities were reported.