Update: Nicole Chapple, a spokeswoman for the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, says there was “some sort of explosion” at a southern Maryland power plant that may have triggered the outages.
Original post: A widespread power outage has hit much of the District this afternoon, forcing 13 Metro stations and the White House onto backup power.
According to Pepco, 2,415 customers in the District were without power as of 1:30 p.m. The outages cover a wide swath of the city, hitting all four quadrants as well as parts of Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.
Metro has reported that the following stations are on backup power, although trains are still running normally:
Stations on backup power include (1/2): Anacostia, Dupont, Eastern Market, Potomac Ave, NoMa, Rhode Is Ave, Stadium-Armory, Largo… #wmata
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) April 7, 2015
Stations on backup power (2/2)… Minnesota Ave, Prince George’s Plz, Benning Road, Navy Yard, Capitol Heights #wmata
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) April 7, 2015
Additionally, the outage has put some escalators and elevators out of service:
Dupont Circle: Due to regional commercial power problem, all escalators and elevators are out of service at this time. #wmata — Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) April 7, 2015
But according to Metro Transit Police, no one has been reported trapped in a disabled elevator:
MTPD units responding to assist at all stations affected by power outages. No elevator entrapments reported at any station. #wmata
— Metro Transit Police (@MetroTransitPD) April 7, 2015
The John A. Wilson Building, home to the mayor and D.C. Council, was briefly evacuated, according to mayoral spokesman Michael Czin:
The Wilson Building was briefly evacuated due to a power outage. Staff are now returning to the building. — Michael Czin (@MikeCzin) April 7, 2015
And the White House is on backup power as well:
Spokesman says WH on backup generators that kicked in after power outage.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) April 7, 2015
Pepco did not immediately return a call for comment.
This post has been updated to include comment from Chapple.
Map via Pepco