Much of downtown Detroit has been plunged into darkness, after a massive failure with the city's power grid led to widespread blackouts.
The "major cable failure" shut down the entire public lighting grid around 10:30 a.m. local time, according to a city statement, affecting power at about 100 mostly public buildings.
"We have isolated the issue and are working to restore power as soon as possible," the statement said.
The Frank Murphy Hall of Justice courthouse, as well as the city's famed Institute of Arts, were among buildings where occupants were evacuated.
This is what evacuating 900 student visitors looks like! #DetroitPowerOutage
Evacuations happening throughout downtown due to a massive power outage #Detroit #Local4
Also affected was the Joe Louis Arena, where the Red Wings play:
Another power outage this morning at Joe Louis Arena. Maybe they didn't pay their bill.
Huge power outages in Detroit right now, including fire stations, courthouses, Joe Louis Arena http://t.co/fzpxjrVCRR
A spokesman for the city's fire department said crews have been rescuing a number of people from elevators.
City Hall scene ...
At least one woman now leaving on a stretcher.
Power has now reportedly been restored to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, but officials are said to have shut the building for the remainder of the day.
Power has been restored to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice. The building is still closed for the day. LIVE COVERAGE: http://t.co/SGAQDWNYHj
Schools are also letting out early as a result of the power outage:
Massive power outage in #detroit. Schools dismissing early @wxyzdetroit
Wayne State University has canceled all classes on its main campus:
Classes are canceled on main campus due to power outage, includes evening classes, events. Extension Centers, online classes not affected.
At a news conference, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said a third of the power system has been placed back online.
"Power is starting to come back up, and we are going to stay with it until it's done," Duggan said.
Jerry Norcia, president of energy provider DTE, said he expects 70% of the affected buildings will have power restored in the next two hours, with the remaining buildings back online by tonight. He noted that power began being restored to some buildings within 90 minutes of the grid failure.
Duggan said there had not been a spike in police or fire incidents during the outage.
Duggan thanked firefighters for carrying people down stairwells, as well as the 100 state and local police who have been working to direct traffic.
Duggan also warned Detroit residents to expect further blackouts in the future, as the city completes a four-year process of handing over control of the Public Lighting Department to DTE Energy.
Today is a good reminder of how much work we still have to do says Mayor Duggan. #DetroitPowerOutage
Transition of Public Lighting Dept. to @DTE_Energy is a four year process, in early phases of it says Mayor Duggan. #DetroitPowerOutage