Most power returned to Pitt’s campus

By The Pitt News Staff

Severe thunderstorms today knocked out the power of Duquesne Light customers this morning,… Severe thunderstorms today knocked out the power of Duquesne Light customers this morning, including those supplied through Oakland’s substation, leaving most of Pitt without power.

But Duquesne Light spokesman Joey Vallarian said that most of the power in Oakland should now be on again.

All academic and administrative buildings closed earlier today, but residence halls remained open with limited power for the students who arrived back to Pitt early, Pitt spokesman John Fedele said.

UPMC spokeswoman Susan Manko said that UPMC Presbyterian and Montefiore have switched to emergency power.

The two hospitals postponed elective surgeries until tomorrow — the operating room schedule has been expanded because of the power outage. The UMPC Presbyterian emergency room is operating, and there will be no disruption of emergency or critical care.

“There will be no unmet needs,” Manko said.

Magee-Women’s Hospital has not been impacted by the power outage.

Some outpatient appointments conducted in the Falk and Kaufmann buildings, which are currently operating under emergency power, have also been rescheduled, Manko said.