Delays could linger into Tuesday commute following Grand Central Terminal power outage

MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- The MTA says that delays could linger into Tuesday commute following a power outage at Grand Central Terminal. While trains will be operating on a regular, weekday schedule, commuters may experience delays of up to 20-30 minutes.

The outage happened Monday morning, and affected the lower level. It didn't disrupt train service -- all trains scheduled to use the lower level were diverted to the upper level, where power remained.

"Fortunate, if you look at it, this happened on a holiday because we don't have a rush hour of service where we would need all of our tracks," said MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan.

The power went out after a 6-inch water pipe burst. My Monday evening, the water was removed from the power vailt.

"It delivered 18 inches of water into the vault that holds the electrical equipment," Donovan said. "We are de-watering that vault right now."

Emergency generators then provided backup power to the main hall and other entrance areas. The initial darkness concerned some.

"It's scary. Like I walked in and all I saw was black over there in the corners and I was like wow!" said Tae Edwards, a commuter.

Eyewitness News viewer photos show how dark it was inside Grand Central:

And this just looks eerie:

Even the Apple Store inside Grand Central was in the dark:

And while some ticket machines were not operating, riders could buy tickets on trains without being charged an additional cost.

But about 100 stores and food vendors were forced to close the better part of the day as police and state troopers barred the entrances to the lower level.