As a brutal heat wave cooked the city Friday evening, Con Edison temporarily cut power to roughly 9,800 customers in southwest Queens, starting around 4:45 p.m. The outage hit pockets of Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park, leaving homes and small businesses without air conditioning and refrigeration during peak heat.
Con Edison: Temporary Shutoff To Speed Repairs
According to Con Edison, the company temporarily shut off electric service to approximately 9,800 residential and commercial customers around 4:45 p.m. Friday so crews could make quicker repairs after equipment problems caused by extreme heat and heavy demand. The utility said crews were assessing damage and that customers could check estimated restoration times on its outage map or by signing up for text alerts.
Dry Ice Distribution And Cooling Centers
The company set up a mobile information center and distributed dry ice at Resorts World Casino Lot C at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd in South Ozone Park, with distribution continuing into the evening until supplies ran out, according to ABC7. As reported by PIX11, dry ice packages came with handling and disposal instructions, and officials warned that children and pets should be kept away from the material. The city also activated public cooling centers for residents without power.
Why Heat Pushed The Grid To The Limit
The outage hit as a historic heat wave drove air-conditioner use, and the strain on equipment, to unusually high levels. Some utilities reduced voltage in affected networks to protect feeders, NY1 reported. Local leaders urged residents to pay close attention to indoor temperatures and to use cooling centers where they were available.
How To Report Outages And Stay Safe
If your power is out, you can report it through Con Edison or by calling 1-800-75-CONED. Customers who opt in for text alerts will receive estimated restoration times. For cooling centers and other city resources, visit NYC.gov or call 311 for current locations and hours.
