NYC Heatwave: Con Edison Asks Customers in Parts of Brooklyn and Queens to Limit Power as Repair Work Continues

 NYC Heatwave: Con Edison Asks Customers in Parts of Brooklyn and Queens to Limit Power as Repair Work Continues

**As record-breaking heat scorches New York City, crews are battling equipment failures while asking nearly 170,000 customers to conserve energy. Here's what you need to know.**

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## Introduction: When the Heat Meets the Grid

On July 4, 2026, as New York City sweltered under its first 100-degree day since 2012 , Consolidated Edison found itself in an all-too-familiar position: scrambling to keep the lights on while crews repaired damaged equipment across the city.

The utility has asked approximately **170,000 customers** in parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and Westchester County to conserve electricity while crews work to repair storm-damaged equipment . To protect the system, Con Edison reduced voltage by **8%** in affected areas .

The request comes at a particularly difficult time. Overnight thunderstorms Friday caused scattered power outages across parts of the city, leaving more than **93,000 customers** without power at one point . As of Saturday morning, about 6,400 customers remained without electricity .

## Which Neighborhoods Are Affected?

Con Edison has identified specific areas in Queens and Brooklyn where the conservation request is in effect.

### Queens Neighborhoods

The voltage reduction area in Queens is bounded by the Jackie Robinson Parkway on the north, Jamaica Bay on the south, the Van Wyck Expressway and Queens Boulevard on the east, and the Brooklyn-Queens line on the west . This includes approximately **148,200 customers** in:

- Broad Channel

- South Ozone Park

- Howard Beach

- Lindenwood

- Ozone Park

- Richmond Hill

- Woodhaven

- Kew Gardens 

Additional areas in Queens affected by voltage reduction include parts of Glendale, Forest Hills, Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village, Long Island City, Sunnyside, and Woodside .

### Brooklyn Neighborhoods

In Brooklyn, the affected area includes parts of:

- East New York

- Cypress Hills

- Highland Park

- City Line 

Additionally, voltage reductions affect parts of Bay Ridge, Borough Park, Carroll Gardens, Dyker Heights, Park Slope, Sunset Park, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Flatbush, and Bensonhurst .

## What Customers Should Do

Con Edison is asking customers in affected areas to take specific steps to reduce electricity demand while repairs continue :

1. **Limit air conditioning use** — If you have two air conditioners, use only one. Set it to the highest comfortable temperature.www.conEd.com/reportoutage,

2. **Avoid using energy-intensive appliances** — Do not use washers, dryers, or microwaves until crews complete repairs.

3. **Refrain from charging electric vehicles** unless absolutely necessary .

New York City officials also recommend setting air conditioners to **78 degrees**, or the highest comfortable temperature, to reduce strain on the power grid .

## The Gravesend Crisis: Real Human Stories

The conservation request is not just a bureaucratic exercise. In the Gravesend section of Brooklyn, residents spent their Fourth of July without electricity—and without answers .

A large tree crashed into multiple power lines on Friday night during a severe storm, knocking out service for neighbors already dealing with triple-digit heat . By Saturday afternoon, frustration was growing as temperatures climbed toward 100 degrees.

"We've been calling everyone—the city, 311, Con Edison—and so far News 12's the only one who showed up," said resident Denise Ditta, whose backyard was damaged by the fallen tree .

Ditta said the outage has been especially difficult for seniors in the area. "We have old folks, seniors. What are they going to do? All our food for the holiday is gone. It's ruined" .

The owner of a damaged vehicle parked beneath the tree said the incident has already cost him two days of income because he works as a delivery driver for DoorDash . Parks Department crews removed the tree, but utility lines remained tangled in the debris—and energized—preventing further cleanup .

## The Bigger Picture: A Grid Under Stress

The situation in New York is part of a larger pattern. The "heat dome" that has settled over the eastern United States has strained power grids across the region, from the Mid-Atlantic to the Midwest .

**PJM**, the largest U.S. power grid operator serving 67 million people, has ordered customers enrolled in emergency conservation programs to curb usage . More than **185 million people**—more than half the U.S. population—have been under heat alerts .

The extreme heat, combined with Friday night thunderstorms, created a perfect storm for power companies. High temperatures cause equipment to overheat and fail, while severe storms knock down power lines. The result: a utility that's fighting on two fronts.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: How many customers has Con Edison asked to conserve power?

A: Con Edison has asked approximately **170,000 customers** in parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and Westchester County to conserve electricity . This includes about 148,200 customers in Queens and tens of thousands more in Brooklyn .

### Q: Why is Con Edison asking customers to conserve power?

A: The utility is asking customers to reduce electricity use while crews repair equipment damaged by extreme heat and overnight storms . Voltage has been reduced by 8% in affected areas to protect equipment and maintain service .

### Q: How long will the conservation request last?

A: The conservation request will remain in effect until crews complete repairs. Customers can check the Con Edison outage map for updates .

### Q: What should I do if my power goes out?

A: Report outages at www.conEd.com/reportoutage, through the Con Edison mobile app, or by calling 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633) . When calling, report whether your neighbors also have lost power. You will receive updates with estimated restoration times.

### Q: Is this related to the broader heatwave?

A: Yes. The record heat across the eastern U.S. is straining power grids from the Midwest to the Atlantic coast. Con Edison's request is part of a regional response to the extreme temperatures .

### Q: Is it safe to use my air conditioner?

A: Yes, but Con Edison recommends using only one AC unit if you have two, and setting it to the highest comfortable temperature (around 78 degrees) . Limit use of other energy-intensive appliances.

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## Conclusion: A Holiday Weekend of Heat and Uncertainty

The Fourth of July 2026 was supposed to be a celebration—America's 250th birthday. Instead, for tens of thousands of New Yorkers, it became a weekend of sweating, waiting, and wondering when the power would come back on.

Con Edison's conservation request is a necessary measure to protect the grid and prevent more widespread outages. But for residents like those in Gravesend, the utility's response has felt too little, too late. As Denise Ditta put it: "It's disappointing with how many people are affected here" .

The heatwave isn't over. Temperatures are expected to remain high through the weekend, and scattered showers and thunderstorms could bring new challenges . For now, the best thing affected residents can do is conserve energy, stay informed, and check on neighbors—especially seniors and others who may be vulnerable.

As one Con Edison statement noted: "The equipment problems in these neighborhoods have no effect on the rest of the Con Edison system" . But for the families sitting in the dark, that's small comfort.

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## Disclaimer

**IMPORTANT:** This article is for informational and educational purposes only. The information contained herein is based on publicly available sources and reflects the author's understanding as of the publication date. Weather conditions, grid operations, and emergency measures are subject to rapid change. Customers should monitor official sources, including Con Edison's website and outage map, for the most current information. The conservation request applies to specific neighborhoods; check Con Edison's outage map to see if your area is affected.

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*Published: July 5, 2026*

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**Tags:** NYC heatwave, Con Edison, power outage, Brooklyn, Queens, voltage reduction, grid strain, heat dome, emergency conservation, electricity, New York City, Con Ed, outage, energy conservation, Fourth of July, heat wave 2026