Cars are in gridlock in front of the Parliament buildings on Elgin St. in Ottawa, Canada, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003 after a power outage turned off the traffic lights. A power outage of a scale unprecedented in Canada hit huge swaths of Ontario and parts of the United States on Thursday, shutting down offices and causing commuter chaos in sweltering temperatures.
People try to thumb a ride after a power outage in Toronto, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003. A widespread power outage hit most of Ontario and the United States as far west as Cleveland late Thursday afternoon, shutting down offices and forcing workers to navigate their way home without traffic lights or transit in sweltering temperatures.
Pedestrian Raj Dhriaj takes matters into his own hands as he takes on the role of traffic cop at a downtown Toronto intersection Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003. Traffic, subways, elevators and most downtown buildings shut down following a widespread power outage in Ontario and parts of the United States.
People line up outside a Vietnamese grocery story to stock up on food and supplies during a power outage Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003 in Toronto. A widespread power outage hit most of Ontario and the United States as far west as Cleveland late Thursday afternoon, shutting down offices and forcing workers to navigate their way home without traffic lights or transit in sweltering temperatures.
A police officer and Chris Cruz, background left, help push Allison Henze's car out of an intersection in Toronto on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003. A power outage of unprecedented impact hit huge swaths of Ontario and parts of the United States on Thursday, shutting down businesses and causing commuter chaos in sweltering temperatures. Many drivers ran out of gas, as gasoline stations had no electricity to power pumps.
Julie Hawes checks the status of her flight at Calgary International airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003. Flights were being canceled or delayed due to a massive power outage that hit U.S. and Canadian cities Thursday afternoon.
One of the first gas stations in London, Ontario, to get power back is flooded by customers trying to get gasoline and supplies Thursday night, Aug. 14, 2003. Power was restored to London residents by late evening.
The Toronto Skyline is shown in the background during a blackout seen from Toronto Island at dusk Thursday Aug. 14, 2003. A power outage of unprecedented impact hit huge swaths of Ontario and parts of the United States Thursday, shutting down businesses and causing commuter chaos in sweltering temperatures.
Isabelle Beaudry, a manager at a Irish pub in Ottawa, pours pints by candlelight in the city during a massive power outage Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003. A widespread power outage hit most of Ontario and the United States as far west as Cleveland late Thursday afternoon, shutting down offices and forcing workers to navigate their way home without traffic lights or transit in sweltering temperatures.
A couple enjoys a candlelight dinner at a downtown Toronto restaurant Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003, during a major power failure. A power blackout hit much of Ontario and the northeastern United States on Thursday afternoon.
Pedestrians walk past a store closed due to the power outage in Ottawa on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003. A power outage hit much of Ontario and the northeastern United States.