Ten years ago on September 8, 2011; a mistake during maintenance at a substation in Yuma, AZ triggered a chain of events which culminated in a widespread power outage that affected the southwest region of the US and a portion of Baja California, Mexico. Particularly affected was much of San Diego county serviced by San Diego Gas & Electric.

The following video was taken in the northern San Diego County city of Encinitas as well as a part of Carlsbad near the end where they pass by the former Encina power station, noted for its landmark 400 foot (~122 meter) tall smokestack. "Jersey series" induction, decorative "acorns", GE M400A2 and A3 full-cutoffs, and even some Norelco Low Pressure Sodium fixtures are visible but there would be no streetlights on this particular evening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Xq59Me55A

*The traffic signals that are still operating or in a flashing red "4-way stop" mode are equipped with battery backup

   

Interesting, I actually visited this part of San Diego county in 2011 weeks before this outage happened but didn’t remember it. I like watching videos like this, especially since this was back when the area still had some of the old lights which I vividly remember.

Interesting. My grandpa used to work for SDG&E. I wonder if he remembers this.

Was somewhere published what was the exact nature of the offending mistake?

That all looks normal until it goes dark, then it’s just creepy!