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The Blackout of 2003

Mass exodus across the Brooklyn Bridge just after 5pm.
Mass exodus across the Brooklyn Bridge just after 5pm. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
Confusion reigned as to the best way across the bridge: on the pedestrian walkway or the roadway.
Confusion reigned as to the best way across the bridge: on the pedestrian walkway or the roadway. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
Roadway and walkway were filled.
Roadway and walkway were filled. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
As frustration mounted, police struggled to give accurate information.
As frustration mounted, police struggled to give accurate information. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
A bassist tried to figure a way home.
A bassist tried to figure a way home. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
(Bill Swersey/WNYC)
When the going gets tough, the tough play backgammon - West Broadway and White Street.
When the going gets tough, the tough play backgammon - West Broadway and White Street. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
A long wait for a bus on 6th Avenue.
A long wait for a bus on 6th Avenue. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
Traffic on Centre Street.
Traffic on Centre Street. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
A cab driver stopped for gas just when the power went off.
A cab driver stopped for gas just when the power went off. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
A long wait for gas.
A long wait for gas. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
A police officer directs pedestrians and traffic at 14th Street and Sixth Avenue.
A police officer directs pedestrians and traffic at 14th Street and Sixth Avenue. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
Soft ice cream vendors did a huge business throughout the city.
Soft ice cream vendors did a huge business throughout the city. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
Marc Goldhaber volunteered to direct traffic on Sixth Avenue and 28th Street.
Marc Goldhaber volunteered to direct traffic on Sixth Avenue and 28th Street. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
Traffic leading to the Lincoln tunnel at sunset.
Traffic leading to the Lincoln tunnel at sunset. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
Times Square: dark except for vehicle tail lights
Times Square: dark except for vehicle tail lights (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
The night Times Square went dark.
The night Times Square went dark. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
A car headlight provides light for a sidewalk cafe near Times Square.
A car headlight provides light for a sidewalk cafe near Times Square. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
A Times Square souvenir vendor conducts business under the light from a portable generator.
A Times Square souvenir vendor conducts business under the light from a portable generator. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
Riders on a packed #10 bus on Central Park West.
Riders on a packed #10 bus on Central Park West. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
A "Blackout Party" on a West 88th Street stoop.
A "Blackout Party" on a West 88th Street stoop. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
Candles in an Upper West Side browntone.
Candles in an Upper West Side browntone. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
A festive mood on Columbus Avenue.
A festive mood on Columbus Avenue. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
NYFD provided a hydrant cap so West 87th Street residents could cool off.
NYFD provided a hydrant cap so West 87th Street residents could cool off. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
Columbus Avenue silhouette.
Columbus Avenue silhouette. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
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