From: <eyewitnessenews@no.address> Reply-To: eyewitnessenews@no.address To: weedeat@no.address Subject: Eyewitness News Headlines for Thursday, August 15, 2003 Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 21:04:56 -0500
--- Begin Message ---Breaking News: Major power outage cripples Northeast August 14, 2003 A major power outage has hit many areas of Western New York as well as New York City, Toronto, and Detroit.
- Subject: Eyewitness News Headlines for Thursday, August 15, 2003
- From: <eyewitnessenews@no.address>
- Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 21:04:56 -0500
In Western New York you are being asked not to call 911 if you have just a question about the power outage. Their lines are jammed and WKBW will relay the latest information to you.
Late tonight the Erie County Water Authority issued a request for all residents of the South Towns to restrict water use. Due to power outage problems in several pumping stations residents of Orchard Park, Aurora, Marilla, Boston and East Aurora are asked to restict all non-essential use of water.
Public safety officials are also asking motorists to come to a full stop at corners when traffic lights are out.
In Canada officials say that the power problems started with a lightning strike near Niagara Falls. Power officials in the States say that is not the case. At any rate, the two sides agree that the outage was not likely to be an act of terrorism.
Thousands of people are being evacuated from NYC subways and buildings. There was a fire at a Con Ed plant in New Jersey but we are learning that the billows of smoke coming from the plant are just part of the shutdown procedure.
NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg reports that some power on the fringes of the affected areas is coming back on line. But it will take hours to restore power to the whole system.
Eyewitness News will bring you live, late breaking reports on the situation.
Here is a list of some things affected by the power outage locally: NYS Thruway is limiting motorists to $10 in gas purchases ECMC on generator power Erie County Fair on generator Tourist Attractions in NF, Ont closed Walden Galleria and Boulevard Malls are without power Cell phone service in WNY okay Buffalo International Airport is functional...but many flights can't take off due to other cities affected Casino Niagara in NF, Ont and the Seneca Niagara Casino in NF, NY are without power Peace Bridge is fully functional
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