But a Reuters alert soon after stated that, "New York utility says it has not determined cause of Manhattan power outage." The outage affected businesses and subway lines and stations in the area, with 42,000 people and places without power, according to a report by Con Edison on the company's Twitter profile. The affected area stretched from 40th street to Columbus Circle, according to NBC 4 New York.New Yorkers shared photos of the darkened city on Twitter and Facebook.The blackout is between W 42nd St and 72nd St, from the Hudson River to as far as 5th Ave. NYPD has confirmed that there’s no foul play. This was a mechanical issue. NYPD & FDNY are currently responding to people with the most urgent needs, especially those stuck in elevators.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) July 14, 2019
At the Columbus Circle subway station police directed passengers to leave the station due to the power outages. And police asked cars to avoid major thoroughfares. "Due to the power outage and disabled traffic control devices, vehicles should avoid W 42 st - W 74 st, 5th Ave - 12th Ave," the New York Police Department tweeted. "Only @Mta buses will be permitted in the area." The Metropolitan Transportation Authority also took to Twitter, letting New Yorkers know that, "We are working with Con Edison to determine the root cause of the ongoing power failure, which is affecting Midtown and the Upper West Side," tweeted the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. "Several stations are currently without power and are being bypassed by all trains. Please stay tuned here for updates."Large parts of Rockefeller Center were without power. Further, only three Broadway theaters could remain open: Winter Garden Theater, Nederlander Theater, and Lyceum TheatreThe @EmpireStateBldg along with other structures in Manhattan are dark due to a massive power outage In Midtown, Times Square, and other sections of Manhattan on Saturday July 13, 2019 in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo @UPI #blackout pic.twitter.com/32lcqSwOcH
— UPI Photos (@UPIPhotos) July 14, 2019
All #Broadway theaters are closed due to the blackout except for the Winter Garden Theater, Nederlander Theater, and Lyceum Theatre. Please check with your venue for further details.
— NYPDTimesSquare (@NYPDTimesSquare) July 14, 2019
Here’s how we’re on TV for @NBCNightlyNews from 30 Rock in the midst of a blackout in parts of midtown Manhattan. Backup generators in one small studio. #Blackout pic.twitter.com/e833iLygJh
— Kate Snow (@tvkatesnow) July 13, 2019