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A significant power outage disrupted hundreds of residents in Northwest Washington, D.C., over the weekend, following an underground equipment issue that led to a fire. Utility provider Pepco reported that while power was nearly fully restored by Sunday morning, some customers remained on temporary power solutions by the afternoon. According to Pepco, crews responded late Saturday to an issue affecting customers along the 2100 block of M Street NW. The underground equipment failure led to widespread service disruptions, and due to the extent of the damage, complete repairs were expected to take multiple days. Approximately 750 customers were initially without power, though crews managed to restore service to more than 160 households by Saturday evening. Pepco confirmed that the incident was related to a manhole issue at the intersection of 21st Street and M Street NW. The utility company stated that its teams were engaged in extensive repairs, working against the clock to restore power. Given the nature of the work, restoration efforts were anticipated to be completed by late Sunday night. 

Community Response and Support 

In response to the outage, the West End Library opened its doors on Saturday to provide essential services to affected residents. The facility, located at the intersection of 23rd and L Streets, offered charging stations, restrooms, and a warm shelter for those in need. However, these services were only available until 9 p.m. on Saturday. The library was set to reopen on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to continue assisting the community. Pepco acknowledged the difficulties faced by residents, particularly amid winter temperatures, and reassured customers that all efforts were being made to restore power as quickly as possible. The company also explored additional generation options to accelerate restoration efforts for those still without electricity.

Ongoing Efforts and Restoration Timeline

The outages primarily affected the West End area of Northwest D.C., where repair crews worked tirelessly through the weekend. As of Sunday afternoon, a few customers remained dependent on temporary power generation. Pepco expressed gratitude for customers’ patience and stated that service for all impacted households was expected to be restored by 10 p.m. on Sunday. The utility company encouraged residents to stay updated via its official communication channels and social media pages. Crews were actively monitoring the situation, ensuring that any further disruptions were addressed promptly.

Residents impacted by the outage were advised to prepare for potential delays in full power restoration, with Pepco recommending that customers report any remaining issues as repairs progressed. The company reaffirmed its commitment to addressing power concerns efficiently and ensuring a stable electricity supply for the community. This incident underscores the challenges associated with underground power infrastructure in urban settings, particularly when unexpected failures occur. As repair work continues, affected residents and businesses remain hopeful for a swift resolution and a return to normalcy in the coming days.