Ithaca's West Side Plunged into Chaos: Power Outage Leaves Thousands in the Dark and Traffic Lights in Disarray
Imagine waking up to a city in turmoil. Thousands of residents in Ithaca's west end and west hill areas found themselves in this very scenario, as a power outage wreaked havoc on their morning routines. The situation was further exacerbated by malfunctioning traffic lights, leaving commuters in a state of confusion and frustration. But here's the twist: it was all due to an unexpected culprit.
Tompkins County officials issued a stark warning via the Tompkins SIREN alert system, revealing that multiple traffic lights were non-operational on key routes like Rt. 13 North (Meadow St.) and Rt. 13 South (Fulton St.). The reason? A severe shortage of personnel to manage the traffic manually. Nearly 2,900 customers were affected by the power outage, according to New York State Electric & Gas. The estimated restoration time was set for 10:45 am, leaving residents in the dark, quite literally.
And then, the plot thickens. NYSEG, the power provider, attributed the outage to an intriguing cause: "an animal that damaged our equipment." This revelation adds an element of surprise to the story, as one might wonder what creature could have caused such a widespread disruption. Was it a curious squirrel, a determined raccoon, or perhaps a wayward bird?
Fortunately, the power outage seemed to be localized to the west side of Ithaca, sparing Downtown Ithaca and the east and south hill areas. Ithaca College and Cornell University students and staff could breathe a sigh of relief as their campuses remained energized. However, the situation on the roads was far from resolved, with drivers facing potential chaos at every intersection.
A crucial reminder was issued to treat all intersections with non-functioning traffic lights as all-way stops, ensuring safety amidst the chaos. As of 10:50 am, NYSEG reported that power had been restored across Tompkins County, but the aftermath lingered. Some residents on the west side continued to experience Spectrum Internet service disruptions, adding another layer of inconvenience.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story by following 14850.com on various social media platforms or subscribing to their newsletter and podcast. And remember, when infrastructure fails, it's often the unexpected that rises to the surface, sparking curiosity and debate. What do you think caused this unusual power outage? Share your theories and stay informed!
