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Look back at the New York City blackout of 1977

byKayla Thompson
January 5, 2026


The city that never sleeps came to a halt on July 13 and 14, 1977, after a lightning storm left New York and Westchester County without power for hours before looters and vandals terrorized the streets.

With just a few lights on from backup generators, the Empire State building and New York skyline were left in the dark, as seen from Queens during the 1977 blackout.
The front page of the New York Daily News featured the headline
The front page of the New York Daily News featured the headline “BLACKOUT! Lightning Hits Con Ed System” on July 14, 1977.
The usually lit Brooklyn Bridge was nothing but dark as night fell over Manhattan. One bright building (l.) was lit with emergency power and a stream of light came from the headlights of moving vehicles on the FDR Drive and the bridge.
The usually lit Brooklyn Bridge was nothing but dark as night fell over Manhattan. One bright building (l.) was lit with emergency power and a stream of light came from the headlights of moving vehicles on the FDR Drive and the bridge.
The twin towers of the World Trade Center and the southern tip of Manhattan were plunged into near darkness as the massive power failure hit New York City and the surrounding suburbs on July 13, 1977. The power failure was attributed to lightning which hit several upstate transmission cables.
The twin towers of the World Trade Center and the southern tip of Manhattan were plunged into near darkness as the massive power failure hit New York City and the surrounding suburbs on July 13, 1977. The power failure was attributed to lightning which hit several upstate transmission cables.
The Manhattan skyline reflects pockets of emergency generated light after the blackout. Lights were provided by generators of moored ships.
The Manhattan skyline reflects pockets of emergency generated light after the blackout. Lights were provided by generators of moored ships.
This Time magazine cover for the week of July 25, 1977, shows the chaos that erupted in the streets of New York during the blackout on July 13 to 14 in 1977. By the time power was restored the next night, more than 1,700 stores across the city had been looted or damaged and more than 3,000 people arrested. Property damage estimates were as high as $150 million.
This Time magazine cover for the week of July 25, 1977, shows the chaos that erupted in the streets of New York during the blackout on July 13 to 14 in 1977. By the time power was restored the next night, more than 1,700 stores across the city had been looted or damaged and more than 3,000 people arrested. Property damage estimates were as high as $150 million.
Power failure caused a blackout, leaving the Manhattan skyline in darkness. The failure stranded millions of New Yorkers in buildings and on elevators and subway trains.
Power failure caused a blackout, leaving the Manhattan skyline in darkness. The failure stranded millions of New Yorkers in buildings and on elevators and subway trains.
People pictured here hanging out on a police car's hood. Across the city hundreds of off-duty police reported in to handle emergencies from the blackout.
People pictured here hanging out on a police car’s hood. Across the city hundreds of off-duty police reported in to handle emergencies from the blackout.
A Food City supermarket at Walton Ave. and East Burnside Ave. in the Bronx was left completely devastated when looters broke into the store during the blackout. Clerks attempted to restock the shelves and throw out spoiled foods.
A Food City supermarket at Walton Ave. and East Burnside Ave. in the Bronx was left completely devastated when looters broke into the store during the blackout. Clerks attempted to restock the shelves and throw out spoiled foods.
Solomon Altheim, owner of a shoe store at 104th Street and Third Avenue for over 16 years, stands among the looted shelves of his store.
Solomon Altheim, owner of a shoe store at 104th Street and Third Avenue for over 16 years, stands among the looted shelves of his store.
Cops contain suspected looters at Grand Concourse and Fordham Road in the Bronx. By the end of the day, more than 3,400 had been arrested and 558 police officers had been injured.
Cops contain suspected looters at Grand Concourse and Fordham Road in the Bronx. By the end of the day, more than 3,400 had been arrested and 558 police officers had been injured.
Police controlled the crowd on a street in Harlem in the aftermath of the power outage.
Police controlled the crowd on a street in Harlem in the aftermath of the power outage.
The subway platform at 50th Street under Rockefeller Center was completely deserted of travelers at 5 pm on July 14, 1977, when it would normally be jammed with rush hour commuters.
The subway platform at 50th Street under Rockefeller Center was completely deserted of travelers at 5 pm on July 14, 1977, when it would normally be jammed with rush hour commuters.
People sleep on the floor at the information desk at Grand Central Terminal during a power failure.
People sleep on the floor at the information desk at Grand Central Terminal during a power failure.
Stranded people slept in the lobby at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel during the blackout power failure.
Stranded people slept in the lobby at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel during the blackout power failure.
An aerial view of a burning building in the wake of the New York City blackout in Brooklyn, New York on July 14, 1977.
An aerial view of a burning building in the wake of the New York City blackout in Brooklyn, New York on July 14, 1977.
A protective gate in front of a store on Broadway lies twisted on the street after looting during the blackout.
A protective gate in front of a store on Broadway lies twisted on the street after looting during the blackout.
Buildings at Stone Street and Summers Ave. were in flames after looting erupted into vandalism.
Buildings at Stone Street and Summers Ave. were in flames after looting erupted into vandalism.
The Statue of Liberty, which received power from New Jersey, shined from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan despite the massive power failure on July 13, 1977.
The Statue of Liberty, which received power from New Jersey, shined from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan despite the massive power failure on July 13, 1977.
Due to subways and public transportation being shut down, New Yorkers walked across the Brooklyn Bridge to get around.
Due to subways and public transportation being shut down, New Yorkers walked across the Brooklyn Bridge to get around.
People walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan.
People walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan.
The streets of midtown Manhattan were practically devoid of people and taxis on July 14, 1977, the morning after the massive blackout that hit the city the day before.
The streets of midtown Manhattan were practically devoid of people and taxis on July 14, 1977, the morning after the massive blackout that hit the city the day before.
People walked around 34th Street in New York during the power outage.
People walked around 34th Street in New York during the power outage.
The streets that are normally crowded with people and vehicles were deserted after Mayor Beame declared a state of emergency and urged all who did not have vital business in the city to stay home.
The streets that are normally crowded with people and vehicles were deserted after Mayor Beame declared a state of emergency and urged all who did not have vital business in the city to stay home.
The front page of the New York Daily News after the 1977 blackout.
The front page of the New York Daily News after the 1977 blackout.
Even after the power comes on at York Ave and 62nd Street, a police officer still has to direct traffic.
Even after the power comes on at York Ave and 62nd Street, a police officer still has to direct traffic.
This row of stores was robbed and burned during the blackout. Owners try to salvage a few items in this picture.
This row of stores was robbed and burned during the blackout. Owners try to salvage a few items in this picture.
A police officer viewed the damage caused by looters after the massive power failure in the metropolitan New York area led to acts of vandalism in some parts of the city. New York Mayor Abraham Beame said some 2,000 people were arrested.
A police officer viewed the damage caused by looters after the massive power failure in the metropolitan New York area led to acts of vandalism in some parts of the city. New York Mayor Abraham Beame said some 2,000 people were arrested.
Firefighters in the Bronx battled flames in one of the many fires raging in stores throughout New York City during the blackout of 1977.
Firefighters in the Bronx battled flames in one of the many fires raging in stores throughout New York City during the blackout of 1977.
A view from above shows a fire raging in Brooklyn on July 14, 1977, the day after a massive blackout struck New York City and was marked by widespread looting and chaos.
A view from above shows a fire raging in Brooklyn on July 14, 1977, the day after a massive blackout struck New York City and was marked by widespread looting and chaos.
A crowd of people surrounded a looted shoe store at 569 Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.
A crowd of people surrounded a looted shoe store at 569 Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.



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Author
Kayla Thompson
Kayla Thompson is a dedicated journalist and writer with a passion for capturing the essence of New York. Her work spans a diverse range of topics, from the state’s vibrant cultural scene to its complex social and environmental issues. Based in Manhattan, Kayla has become known for her in-depth reporting and engaging storytelling that bring the many facets of New York to life.
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