DCist: Massive Power Outage, Metro Fire

Stan Buzzman

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:48:26 -0500

Sommer, I'm sorry I said you'd curse(d) us all. Clearly one person cannot be blamed for THE MOTHERFUCKING APOCALYPSE, but just to be safe, I think we should all go outside, turn around three times and spit.

IMGoph

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:26:39 -0500

somewhere, grover norquist is smiling.

DudeLooksLikeALady

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:10:12 -0500

@MonkeyErotica -- I totally forgot about God's punishment for homosexuality. Don't forget that it's Pride Week....clearly God does not want people to take mass transit to homosexual events, and would instead prefer everyone drive a fabulous personal vehicle that shows off the wealth and glamour of the gay community. A curse on all public accomodations for teh gayz!!!

anonymous troll

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:04:26 -0500

"Does anybody else wonder why in the world does the capital city of the United States has one of the worst subway systems in the world?" Granted that American public transportation systems tend to be sub-par, but the general lack of feces, shattered glass, widespread criminal activity, and tall piles of unidentifiable garbage puts Metro ahead of many other subway systems. You should count your lucky starts, in other words, that we even HAVE Metro, which is more than you can say for over half of the ten largest cities in the US.

16th Street Line

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:40:12 -0500

I mean, GhettoBurbs. More people should have bus-related handles.

monkeyrotica

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:35:45 -0500

As a white wing fundamentalcase lunatic, let me be the first to say that this is all God's punishment for America tolerating abortion and homosexuality. Also, those American Apparel booty shorts ads are cause a massive power surge...IN MY PANTS.

Samer

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:34:10 -0500

Power is back in most, if not all, of downtown.

16th Street Line

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:31:51 -0500

Nice one, Ghetto Bus.

erincarly

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:30:04 -0500

@somegirl: i nominate for comment of the week!

RJ

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:22:14 -0500

I like to congratulate Metro for dealing with all their problems completely “in the box”.

GhettoBurbs

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:21:35 -0500

What a joke. They close an entire station in the middle of the city because people can't climb a large flight of stairs? That makes a lot of sense. Unless of course all the fat people were dying of heart attacks half-way up the escalator. That might make for a dangerous situation. Nonsense, just toss the heart-attack victims down the "Metro slides" between the escalators so those who choose to stay in the dark underground have something to feed on.

Rukasu

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:18:23 -0500

PRIVATIZE! PRIVATIZE! This is America afterall!

guest33

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:16:36 -0500

"Dupont Circle Metrorail station closed at 9:25 a.m. today due to a Pepco power outage downtown that could not provide electricity to the station’s lengthy escalators. Dupont Circle’s longest escalators, at Connecticut Avenue and Q Streets, NW, are 188 feet long. While trains can serve the Red Line station, the escalators are extremely long, and customers were experiencing difficulty exiting, so officials closed the station for safety reasons. Trains will pass through Dupont Circle and not stop there. " What a joke. They close an entire station in the middle of the city because people can't climb a large flight of stairs? That makes a lot of sense. Unless of course all the fat people were dying of heart attacks half-way up the escalator. That might make for a dangerous situation.

monkeyrotica

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:14:57 -0500

rsplatpc

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:13:36 -0500

That's bad. Can I go now?

drew in adams morgan

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:10:52 -0500

Damn. I had to work in Maryland.

Whatdoesitmeantobehuman

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:09:58 -0500

Dupont Circle is now CLOSED! http://www.wmata.com/about/MET_NEWS/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=2134

MikeB

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:07:46 -0500

Maybe they could replace that Speed Racer ad in the tunnel between Metro Center and Gallery Place. Of course, that would require the train being able to move at full speed.

somegirl

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:03:59 -0500

Metro totally needs to bring emergency backup signage. Perhaps some generator-powered projectors that would flash on the walls of the tunnel: "Attention tourists. The crumbling infrastructure, melting train tracks, and eerie blackness that surround you are the result of eight years of drowning the government in the bathtub. Please go home and think about it."

DudeLooksLikeALady

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:57:42 -0500

Just another reason why the Metro should do a long-term lease of system to a bunch of rich persian gulf sheiks....or to the Germans. Why bother paying taxes to keep your society working when so many other people are willing to do it for you????

PSUMark

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:56:20 -0500

Station lights and fare gates weren't working. Which means several hundred (thousand?) people won't be able to get back into the stations when they head home since the card still thinks you haven't entered the system. So that means the station managers should have fun tonight. You know, I was about to say that the free fare this morning was the only good thing about this whole mess. Thanks for ruining my utopia.

Mainland

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:54:48 -0500

Second the motion for worst Metro to Baltimore ...anyone opposed?

monkeyrotica

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:53:55 -0500

The only thing that will take this curse off is a Black Mass. We could borrow the altar at the Masonic "Library" on 16th Street. Now, all we need is a defrocked priest (I volunteer), some communion wafers (Triscuits will do in a pinch), some candles made of slain baby fat (does Bed, Bath & Beyond still carry those?), and a virgin. For anyone attending Mousetrap tomorrow at Black Cat, applications will be available at the front desk. Plan B: cranking up Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" and rocking the double viking.

erahk0

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:53:31 -0500

i've sampled some of those license plates running amock d'town. whoa indeed it is those crazed devil Maryland drivers. Can we blame this mess on the Grahmster?

MikeB

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:50:33 -0500

I guess I must have missed all the good stuff. Was only mildly delayed getting into Farragut North. Station lights and fare gates weren't working. Which means several hundred (thousand?) people won't be able to get back into the stations when they head home since the card still thinks you haven't entered the system. So that means the station managers should have fun tonight.

GhettoBurbs

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:50:31 -0500

Does anybody else wonder why in the world does the capital city of the United States has one of the worst subway systems in the world? Paging Baltimore Metro... Paging Baltimore Metro ...

Rukasu

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:46:03 -0500

This city is going to hell in a hand basket... Aside from cursing us yesterday, or the possibility this is the result of al-qaeda or other 'extremists' (see: C.H.U.D.s. Gremlins), this is another example of how American infrastructure is seriously falling by the wayside.

dcmarkie

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:44:30 -0500

@whitman22 The toppings contain potassium benzoate.

OldPosterKnownAsCranky

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:43:46 -0500

It took me about 15 minutes extra on my Red Line commute from Cleveland Park to Union "No photos!" Station. The stations between Dupont and Metro Center were eerily dark. Was great fun watching very nervous tourists getting off and not knowing if this would lead to their imminent deaths. There was also an odd burning smell throughout Metro this morning. I assumed it was John Catoe offering sacrifices to the gods to appease them.

flapjack

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:43:19 -0500

MoCo had a nice little trick during the last power outage from storms where they set up stop signs at intersections with the traffic lights out. I'd never seen that before and it was so nice! People were actually stopping! Granted there are some illiterate morons who don't understand what a big red sign with the word STOP on it means, but they were definitely the exception. Obviously they couldn't do that downtown with this level of outages but I'm hoping to see more of it in the future. Is that asking too much?

inloganO

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:42:57 -0500

The frogurt is also cursed

IMGoph

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:40:08 -0500

isn't it terrific that we don't invest heavily in our infrastructure? thank goodness stuff that was built years ago will last forever.

whitman22

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:33:06 -0500

But it comes with a free frogurt.

rhmmvi

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:32:34 -0500

Farragut West looked like a madhouse as I sat on my Orange Line train--people shouting screaming and tripping all over each other because of the power outage. Does anybody else wonder why in the world does the capital city of the United States has one of the worst subway systems in the world? I think I should move to a third world country because likely I think the trains would be more reliable.

Apium

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:31:55 -0500

I opened the Washington Post website and burst into hysterical laughter as I saw their "commuter alert." I drove into work today, because of plans later on, but I felt I was justified in telling my co-worker, "At least it's the Red Line this time." What would be an appropriate sacrifice to the Metro gods? Fingers caught in closing doors? Pushing over people who stand to the left on the escalators?

CrappyHouseInClarendon

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:31:35 -0500

Deferred maintenance party at my house!

TLB

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:31:27 -0500

Awesome. This will be my excuse for not showing up to work until 11 today.

demonfafa

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:28:57 -0500

The power station is also cursed.

monkeyrotica

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:28:38 -0500

everywhere else, no one was following the "no lights = 4-way stop" rule. Woah! Hold the phone, Mabel! There's a rule that says this? I thought "no lights = Everyone out of my way, I'm on an important phone call, my battery is running low, and my Escalade is running on fumes! So don't honk at me for blocking the intersection and being beautiful. You're just jealous. Oh, I would look so cute in that top! Hey! I said stop honking!"

hillrat

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:18:57 -0500

First comment.

the_heckle

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:12:22 -0500

IMGoph: I believe that's: "nearly got yourself kilt!" Oh, what I wouldn't give for a kilt right now.

brandonsavage020

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:10:21 -0500

@SpeakSoftlyCarryABigStick: The resignation of Senator Coburn!

IMGoph

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:09:48 -0500

update from the rhode island ave. corridor: all of the lights are out from at least 1st down to logan circle, with the exception of 7th street. there were traffic cops directing things at 3rd and rhode island and florida and rhode island. everywhere else, no one was following the "no lights = 4-way stop" rule. it just goes to verify all the talk yesterday that people around here don't have a damn clue how to drive. that includes you bikers i saw who didn't stop at any intersection and nearly got yourself killed.

TimmyTucker

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:09:39 -0500

I would say this is just due to it being Friday the 13th. But then I realized that EVERY day seems to be Friday the 13th for Metro...

the_heckle

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:09:14 -0500

It is an absolute laugh riot watching pedestrians and motorists trying to navigate the stoplight-less streets downtown. You see, as a god awful bike rider, I am used to ignoring all of the posted laws governing my behavior. You law abiders are going to be in SO much trouble when the Paultards take power.

dcmarkie

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:08:28 -0500

The power failure is actually my fault. Just yesterday I was teasing my suburban coworkers frequent power losses. "In the 8 years I've lived in DC, I've never lost power! Even during that hurricane a few years back!" And the next day look whats happens...

guest1214

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:07:19 -0500

Things seems to be getting better now. But if one more enormous person tries to shove themselves onto an already overpacked train with the excuse that their's plenty of room, I am going to use my paralyzing ninja chop on them and push them out. That is if I can get their bulk out.

SpeakSoftlyCarryABigStick

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:07:05 -0500

I'm sorry, but you have cursed us all; however, this can't be the work of just one news story. For some reason the Metro gods have been angered and they have decide to smit us with delays, derailments, fires, and power outages. I know not what will appease them, but I'm sure there will be a great weeping and gnashing of teeth before this is complete. We now must find the reason for the deities' displeasure and right it. Anyone have any ideas?

anonymous troll

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:01:00 -0500

Has anybody checked with Arkham Asylum? Are the lights flashing purple instead of yellow? Because this sounds to me like the work of the Joker.

kebhouse

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:00:38 -0500

I tried getting on at Farragut North and couldn't. I was told it was because of a fire at Metro Center. There was no power at the station. This was at about 8:20(?). Fortunately, I was able to get a cab with some random people who happened to be going to the same place. Better yet- they expensed the cab ride, so I didn't have to pay!

monkeyrotica

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:00:06 -0500

Trains are still moving at those stations, but the lack of electricity means that only emergency lights are on there, plus fare card machines, elevators and escalators are not working. Okay. I'll bite. Is the AIR CONDITIONING working at those stations? And if not, do they mind if I come down there with some melted butter and white truffle oil to baste the commuters in their own juices? Because a Metro station with no AC beats a convection oven any summer day.