A massive power outage continues to happen in Spain, Portugal, and parts of France today (Monday, April 28), affecting millions of Europeans throughout the entire day.
The loss of power has caused nearly every aspect of society to standstill, including cut phone service, transportation cancellations, shut down traffic lights, and even the inability to use credit cards.
It started earlier this morning at around 6:30 am ET, affecting the entire Iberian peninsula with reports of airports, train stations, and even the 2025 Mutua Madrid Tennis tournament losing power.
Capital cities Madrid and Lisbon, as well as Seville, Barcelona and Valencia are amongst the most popular metropolises affected with millions of people unable to commute, pay, or call anyone.
According locals over there, some were able to use generators for the time being while Spain’s electricity grid operator Red Electrica and Portugal’s grid operator Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN) investigate the issue.
At this time, a specific cause hasn’t been announced while they continue to try restore power, but REN said in a statement that it’s possibly because of a “rare atmospheric phenomenon” that caused a severe imbalance in temperatures called ‘induced atmospheric vibration.’
Power continues to be down at the time of writing (2 PM ET), as officials
The 2003 power outage in New York City
Does this sound familiar to you New Yorkers?!
If so, it’s because you may be remember the famous Northeast Blackout of 2003, which left about 50 million people in the Northeastern U.S. and Ontario-including all five boroughs of NYC-without electricity.
It was the the largest blackout in U.S. history at the time and was triggered by a failure in an Ohio power company’s alarm system and cascading grid problems.
An unprecedented situation for NYC, the blackout caused massive gridlock, stranded thousands in elevators and subways, and halted most transportation.
Power ended up being restored in most areas after about 29 hours, though some neighborhoods waited up to four days.
Do you remember the famous power outage?
How the Spain-Portugal power outage affects the U.S.
The power outage has forced plenty of disruption for travelers, leaving airports, trains, and metro systems all without power, with many trains and subway lines stuck underground or on their tracks.
If you’re traveling to any major city today, including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, or Seville mainly, expect flight delays and even possible cancellations.
In the interim, Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida sent out a message on X asking residents “to minimize travel as much as possible.”
Be sure to visit your airline or train line’s social media page or website for the latest advice.