Hicksville Power Outage Knocks Out Traffic Lights as Utility Pole Leans Over Tracks

HICKSVILLE, N.Y. — A significant power outage knocked out traffic signals and left homes and businesses without electricity along a busy stretch of Old Country Road in Hicksville on Wednesday afternoon.

Nassau County Police received numerous 911 calls shortly after 1:05 p.m. reporting power outages along Old Country Road between North Newbridge Road and Broadway.

Traffic signals throughout the affected half-mile stretch went completely dark, prompting police officers to manually direct motorists through several intersections as crews worked to restore service.

The outage occurred after gusty winds reportedly caused a high-voltage utility pole behind Lawnside Drive to lean over the railroad tracks.

MTA Police responded and cordoned off the intersection of Lawnview Avenue and Lawnside Drive with caution tape as crews assessed the leaning utility pole.

Welsbach Electric crews were dispatched to affected intersections along Old Country Road to restore the disabled traffic signals. By approximately 2:10 p.m., all affected signals had been restored.

Electrical service remained disrupted for some homes and businesses in the area. By approximately 2:45 p.m., power had begun returning to affected customers as PSEG Long Island crews continued restoration efforts.

The outage comes ahead of a strong nor’easter expected to affect portions of the Northeast later this week, bringing the potential for strong winds, heavy rain and coastal impacts.