Power restored after major outage in Jersey City
JERSEY CITY (WABC) -- More than 12,250 PSEG customers were without power in Jersey City for about an hour Friday night.
The power went out just before 8 p.m. and was restored by 9:20 p.m.
A usually vibrant downtown Jersey City was more like a scene from the twilight zone Friday night.
Police cars were the only source of light on an eerie drive down Newark Avenue.
The problem was caused when a raccoon came in contact with the top of transformer in switching station yard.
At least people's cell phones worked, Twitter overloaded with uploads, as of the city's skyline plunged into darkness and crowds waited for buses, when PATH trains ground to a stop.
"All of a sudden boom, the lights went out and here we are," said Dennis Hayward, an Upper West Side resident.
The Haywards were there for a holiday party when the lights went out. And when they learned the PATH was out too, they headed back to the party which never stopped.
"Everyone has their cell phone with flashlight feature so we have lights there's merriment," Hayward said. "We're partying in the dark everybody's screaming and dancing its so much fun."
PSEG says some 12,250 customers went dark when a raccoon made contact with the top of a transformer in its Morgan switching station.
City officials quickly responded, lighting up major intersections. Greg Kierce heads Emergency Management.
"PSEG has taken quite a few steps to improve their equipment and things of that nature, but actually the lights are coming back on as we speak," Kierce said.
And just like that the crisis was over. From the Empire State Building, you can watch what happened when the lights came back on.
And Friday nightlife there could resume. The Haywards headed home after their adventure in the dark.
"It was kind of nice with the lights off to be honest with you, it was a different atmosphere, it was exciting, it was fun. But now the PATH's back up. We can go home," Hayward said.
