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required . General information may be distributed to consumers to forewarn them of conditions if necessary . • Generating Capacity Alert — A Generating Capacity Alert starts actions to increase reserves . Available emergency supply options will be explored . When reserves fall below the size of the largest generating unit in the state , loss of that size unit to an unexpected mechanical failure could ead to blackouts somewhere since insufficient backup is available . • Generating Capacity Emergency — A Generating Capacity Eme gency occurs when blackouts are inevitable somewhere in Florida . Every available means of balancing supply and demand will be exhausted . Rolling blackouts , manually activated by utilities , are a last resort to avoid system overload and possible equipment damage . Frequent status reports are provi ed to agencies and the media . The Division of Emergency Management will consider using the Emergency Broadcast System to inform citizens of events and to direct them to available shelters if conditions warranted . Recognizing the consequences of a loss of electricity , individual utility emergency plans include provisions for special facilities critical to the safety and welfare of citizens . • System Load Restoration — System Load Restoration is instituted when rolling blackouts have been terminated and power supply is adequate . It is the recovery stage , and efforts are made to provide frequent systern status reports . Historic Events. In the U . S . , from 2 July to 10 August 1996 , the Western States Utility Power Grid reported widespread power outages that affected millions of customers in several western states and adjacent areas of Canada and Mexico . A massive power outage struck the northeast on Thursday , 14 August 2003 . Areas affected by the outage included New York City and Albany , New York ; Cleveland and Toledo , Ohio ; Detroit and Lansing , Michigan ; parts of New Jersey and Connec icut ; as well as Toronto and Ontario , Canada . The most extensive power failure in history , t shut down 10 major airports , 9 power plants , affected 50 million people , and led to a decla red State of Emergency in New York City . The Ford Motor Company lost production capability at 21 of its facilities . Two deaths and 71 fires were attributed to the outage in New York Cly alone ( Gellman and Milbank , 2003 ) . The preliminary economic impacts of this event are large . It is estimated that the power failure cost approximately $ 1 billion , including $ 800 million in unsold goods and services and $250 million in spoiled food . 4. 2. 2. 9 Vulnerability Assessment Power failure can have the following potential impacts on a commu ity: • Electrical power outage ; • Surface and air transportation disruption ; • Potable water system loss of disruption ; • Sewer system outage ; • Telecommunication system outage ; • Human and health safety ; fir, • Psychological hardship ; 4-55