Washington, DC: Power Outages Leave 200,000 Residents in the Dark

Washington, D.C.: Power Outages Plunge 200,000 Residents into DarknessWashington, D.C.: Power Outages Plunge 200,000 Residents into Darkness Washington, D.C. has been plunged into darkness after a series of power outages affected over 200,000 residents on Tuesday, July 26, 2023. The outages began at approximately 2:00 pm EST and left entire neighborhoods without electricity. The cause of the outages is still under investigation, but officials from Pepco, the local electric utility, believe it may be related to a transformer malfunction. Crews are currently working to restore power, but no timeline has been provided. The outages have caused widespread disruption throughout the city. Traffic signals are out, businesses are closed, and residents are being urged to stay indoors and avoid driving. “This is a major power outage that is affecting a large part of our city,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We are working closely with Pepco to restore power as quickly as possible.” The outages have also impacted public transportation. Metro trains and buses are operating on a reduced schedule, and some stations are closed. Residents are being urged to conserve energy by turning off unnecessary lights and appliances. They are also advised to charge their electronic devices in case the outages continue for an extended period. “We are doing everything we can to get power restored to our residents as soon as possible,” said Pepco CEO Jane E. Greer. “We appreciate their patience and understanding during this time.” Power outages can be dangerous, so residents are urged to take the following precautions: * Stay away from downed power lines. * If you must go outside, be aware of your surroundings and avoid any areas where there may be downed wires. * If you have a generator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation. * Check on elderly or disabled neighbors to make sure they are okay. As of this update, power has been restored to some areas, but approximately 150,000 residents remain without electricity. Pepco expects to have power fully restored by Wednesday evening.