Brazil Blackout: It Could Have Been Worse

"Power restored in Brazil after blackouts"
CNN (November 11, 2009)

"Electricity returned early Wednesday to a large swath of central and southern Brazil that was plunged into darkness when power from a major hydroelectric dam was lost.

"Up to 18 of Brazil's 26 states were left without power when electricity from the Itaipu dam was interrupted around 10:15 p.m. (7:15 p.m. ET) Tuesday, leaving Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities in darkened chaos...."

Obviously, folks in Brazil - now that Job One of getting the power grid working again is done - are very curious about why the power went out in the first place. My guess is that whoever is in charge is highly motivated to make sure it doesn't happen again, any time soon.

Still, it could be worse: This blackout could have happened during the Olympics.

More:

• "Brazil's Big Blackout Raises More Questions for the Olympics"
  Time (November 11, 2009)