Блэкаут вызвал хаос в западной части Сан-Франциско

During a visit to San Mateo County, I planned to stay in San Francisco's Richmond District, known for its rich family history and iconic architecture like the St. Ignatius Church. However, a sudden power outage affected most of western San Francisco, including the Richmond and Sunset Districts and the famous Presidio. As reported via cell phone, the blackout had brought the city to a standstill, leaving many areas without power, disrupting activities including traffic lights, and causing a significant traffic jam at the intersection of John F. Kennedy and Stanyan Street. Planning to attend a 5 PM Mass at St. Ignatius, I detoured to the city's eastern quarter, navigating through unfamiliar routes, as my iPhone suggested an unconventional path to avoid the power outage area. Despite reaching nearby Haight-Ashbury District, where electricity was still operational, reaching the church posed an unexpected challenge when vehicles were stalled at traffic crossroads due to the non-functioning traffic signals. While San Francisco's drivers cooperatively adhered to the makeshift rule of treating all intersections as stop-sign junctures, backed-up car queues prolonged my journey. Arriving at St. Ignatius before the intended Mass time brought another setback: the service was canceled. Disappointed, I rerouted to another destination in the Richmond District. Later investigation revealed that a fire erupted inside a PG&E substation located at 8th and Mission streets had led to the power failure, as disclosed by fire officials on various social media platforms. Residents reportedly were out of communication as the blackout disrupted television and internet access. Adding to the day's tumult, a 3.9 magnitude earthquake originating near San Ramon, east of San Francisco, stirred the region. The rumble was mildly felt, adding an impending sense of unease during the outage. It was not until 9:15 PM that evening when power returned, yet the interruption of internet connectivity persisted until Monday morning—casting light on the paradox of technological dependence in a globally acclaimed tech capital.