Thousands Without Power in NYC Area

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- As if the high temperatures aren't bad enough, thousands of people are without power Thursday morning in and around New York City.

Con Edison is urging all custorners in Midtown East to discontinue their use of non-essential electrical appliances and equiprnent until problerns on electrical equiprnent can be resolved.

Residents and businesses between 40th Street and 14th Street, frorn Fifth Avenue to the East River should shut off any unused or unnecessary appliances.

The cornpany is asking its largest custorners in that area to reduce their electrical use. Company crews are working now to fix the problern.

The company is in constant communication with the New York City Office of Emergency Managernent.

As of 12:45 p.m., Con Ed reports there are 3,950 customers in the dark in Westchester County and the five boroughs.

That's down from the approximately 95,000 who didn't have power late Wednesday.

Those without electricity include about 1,500 in Queens, parts of which were hit with a 10-day blackout last month.

VIDEO: New York City Bakes in 100 Degree Heat

In New Jersey, oppressive heat and humidity are driving up demand for electricity.

Public Service Electric and Gas is reporting about 1,300 scattered outages Thursday morning.

The state's largest utility set a new record for demand Wednesday, eclipsing Tuesday's all-time high.

Jersey Central Power and Light also broke Tuesday's record for electricity.

Underwood Hospital in Woodbury ran on emergency generator power for about a half-hour when power in the area failed Wednesday.

On Long Island, LIPA said more than 2,200 customers were without power Thursday afternoon.

LIPA is requesting energy conservation from its customers Thursday. Read more here...

Related Story:
Bloomberg Not Satisfied with Con Ed Report

Related Links:
Read the Con Ed Report about the July 2006 Queens Power Outages (PDF File)
NYC: Mayor Bloomberg Announces Power Conservation Measures
NYC Office of Emergency Management

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