High Temps, Heavy Power Demands Create Further Outages

Soaring temperatures in the high 80s and humidity created a demand for electrical power that sparked a second wave of power outages in Commack Monday afternoon. 

Mark Gross, a spokesman for Long Island Power Authority, said roadside crews have successfully restored power to hundred of Commack residents after a fuse blew off Harned Road. 

However, while LIPA crews work on restoring power to a neighborhood, working on making permanent repairs another line blew. Gross said its common practice to temporarily transfer customers onto another circuit while repairs are being made, placing additional stress on the functional circuit.

"On a day like today when it's super hot out, everyone’s using the electricity. What happens sometimes the circuit gets overloaded and it makes another fuse blow," LIPA spokesman said. 

This led to a wave of secondary power outages across Commack at approximately 2:30 p.m. Monday. Roughly 196 Commack customers located south of the original outage are still without power as of 5:30 p.m. Monday, out of the 594 households without power in Suffolk County.

"Commack has been hit particularly hard," Gross said.

LIPA is estimating that power will be fully restored to the area by 8:30 p.m. Monday night. That is provided another line doesn't blow while repairs are taking place. 

Gross urged any Commack customers who have been without power for a prolonged period of time, since Sunday night or early Monday morning, to contact LIPA. He said they may have further problems with local service wire or something within their home. 

Residents with a power outage or downed wires can report these to LIPA by calling  1-800-490-0075 or texting OUT to  myLIPA (695472), which requires pre-registration. 

LIPA charts all reported power outages on its Storm Center's Outages map, providing updates every 15 minutes. 

Were you caught without power in Monday's heat? Tell us how it affected your day and how your family coped in the comments below or email sara-megan.walsh@patch.com.