ROCKLAND POST DESK
Residents across Rockland County woke up early Sunday, March 8, after a major power outage left thousands of homes and businesses without electricity in the predawn hours.
According to local reports, the outage began at approximately 1:13 a.m., affecting communities throughout the county and leaving nearly 7,000 people without power.
Utility officials say the outage was triggered by a failure involving a main component at a facility operated by Orange & Rockland Utilities, the company that provides electricity to much of Rockland County.
Crews from Orange & Rockland worked through the night to diagnose and repair the issue. Power was gradually restored as the morning progressed, and by around 6 a.m. service had been fully restored to all affected customers, the utility reported.
Transformer Fires, Emergency Response
As power returned to neighborhoods, multiple transformer fires were reported in scattered locations around the county. Firefighters from local departments responded to those incidents, which appeared to be linked to the electrical surge as the system came back online.
Officials urged residents to stay clear of any downed lines or damaged equipment, noting that electrical infrastructure can be dangerous even after power returns.
Impact on Residents and Businesses
For many families, the outage meant an abrupt disruption in sleep, heat, and early‑morning routines. Some residents reported clocks blinking off, refrigerators going silent, and streetlights going dark before sunrise.
Local businesses that rely on electricity for lighting, point‑of‑sale systems, and food storage were also briefly affected.
Utility Statement and Safety Reminder
Orange & Rockland Utilities spokespersons have emphasized that crews responded quickly to the interruption and urged customers to report any further issues or lingering problems through the utility’s outage reporting system.
Officials also reminded residents to treat any downed wires as dangerous and stay away, calling 911 and the utility immediately if they encounter them.