Recently, many Brooklyn residents found themselves without power due to a snowstorm last week. Despite the storm’s impact, Con Edison reported that around 2,000 customers were still in the dark by Monday, particularly in Boerum Hill, Park Slope, and Gowanus. Bedford-Stuyvesant was also hit hard, with nearly 300 outages over the weekend.
New Yorkers usually benefit from buried power lines, which kept most homes lit while other regions faced widespread outages. However, the 116 million pounds of salt spread across city streets to battle the snow have caused some issues. The salt, when mixed with water, seeps underground, affecting Con Edison’s cables and leading to localized outages. The heavy snow also complicates access to these lines, delaying repairs.
Con Edison spokesperson Jamie McShane explained that the conditions are challenging. “We’re working hard to restore power, but the snow and the salt corrosion are making it take longer,” she noted. Salt water is corrosive and can lead to rust and electrical shorts, impacting the cables that distribute power to buildings.
It’s been over a week since the snowfall, and many streets are still buried under deep snow, trapping parked cars and further hindering repairs. Residents are even helping each other to dig out their vehicles and check on the elderly. “We’ve had to mobilize to care for our neighbors,” shared local resident Simon Moss.
Local businesses also struggled to operate due to these outages. Con Edison is collaborating with New York City Emergency Management to clear routes and tow cars when needed. They are deploying warming buses for those affected, showing a community-focused approach during this difficult time.
This situation is particularly pressing as residents face the prospect of higher utility bills. Just last month, the Public Service Commission approved a controversial rate hike for Con Edison customers, set to begin in 2026. City Councilmember Shahana Hanif has urged Con Edison to suspend billing during this period of extended outages, highlighting the burden on constituents already facing rising costs.
Public sentiment on social media has reflected frustration and concern over the outages and rising utility prices. Many residents are speaking out about the need for immediate action, urging Con Edison to address these setbacks.
For more updates on ongoing outages, Con Edison maintains an online outage map.
This outage has reminded us how interconnected our lives are with utility services and how crucial it is for companies to respond effectively in challenging circumstances.
