The big buzz in Tucson today is the huge power outage.

The power is out in large patches from Alvernon to Camino de la Tierra east to west, and 22nd to Tangerine south to north.

I usually do work on the computer at my apartment until early afternoon and then head to the radio station.  I'm at home writing this blog right now at 12:30 p.m. and the power has been on here (I live a block from Tucson Mall) uninterupted all morning.  I'm apparently fortunate to have power considering the part of town I live in.

As I write this there are still about 25,000 "customers" still without power.  Many traffic lights are out.  I have the TV on near my computer and KVOA 4 is doing their noon newscast on generator power.  Martha Vasquez and Rebecca Taylor are doing the news sitting on a couple of stools in a nearly darkened studio and the weather forecast was done without graphics from the Channel 4 parking lot.  The normal live on-location shots they do as part of their newscast was done by holding a microphone up to a cell phone without pictures.

KOLD 13 and KGUN 9 each have studios outside of the affected areas (KOLD 13's is on the northwest side of town and KGUN 9's is near Speedway & Kolb) and they haven't had to face the adventure KVOA has trying to keep programming on the air.  Ironically, as I type this right now the studio lights behind Rebecca and Martha just came back on.

It's amazing especially in the time we live in how electric power makes our lives function.  Thanks to the addition of computers and all of the technology we have a lack of electricity can literally stop our world from functioning.  I can relate to this at the radio station.  We're not on the air unless the power is on.  All of the recorded audio we use (music, commercials, station identification, promotional announcements) are all on computer hard drive and of course our transmitters run on electricity as well.  Fortunately  we have generators to help us stay on the air during these kinds of moments.

Power is expected to be restored to most of the affected areas by the end of the afternoon.  According to news reports a piece of equipment that is part of a major power substation north of downtown Tucson failed and Tucson Electric Power crews have to be careful in how they bring everyone back on the power grid as they continue to make repairs.

If the power outage is affecting you this afternoon be careful driving.  A number of traffic signals are out.  Tucson Police are directing traffic at many of the major intersections but it still can be an adventure.  And turn on your radio.  Old School jams will make you feel better!