Accident in San Francisco's energy system: scale and consequences
A terrible accident in San Francisco's energy system led to a third of the city being left in the dark, causing significant transportation chaos. Not only were the streets without light, but also the driverless taxis got stuck on the roads.
A fire at the substation in the northeastern part of the city triggered this emergency situation. Its consequences included a power outage affecting 130,000 residents, which is one-third of San Francisco's population. Residential buildings, office centers, and shops were left without electricity. However, the biggest chaos on the roads was caused by the driverless taxis from the company Waymo, which lost internet connection due to the blackout.
The cars started to beep anxiously, blocking roads for other vehicles. Waymo confirmed that it suspended all rides until normal system operation is restored.
The situation was complicated by non-working traffic lights and a pause in public transportation, forcing local trains and buses to be quickly rerouted to resolve the chaos on the streets.
Mayor's call for caution and mutual assistance
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie urged residents to be cautious and help each other. Additional police patrols were deployed on the streets to control traffic and prevent robberies.
«It’s better to use flashlights than candles to avoid fires. Be careful and help one another,» the mayor posted on social media X.
Power workers managed to restore electricity to 90,000 homes, but more than 40,000 properties are still without power. Work to address the consequences of the substation fire is ongoing in a heightened state of readiness.
The situation in San Francisco remains tense, but local authorities and power workers are working to restore electricity and resolve transportation issues. It is important to follow the mayor’s advice and help one another during this difficult time.