Curious Raccoon Zaps Traffic Signals Across GR
A raccoon knocked out power to streetlights and traffic signals across Grand Rapids early Friday, but crews restored everything before the morning rush.
A single 'very curious raccoon' caused a citywide power outage early Friday, taking down traffic lights and streetlights. All signals were back online quickly, avoiding major disruptions. No injuries or damage were reported.
The culprit behind Friday’s pre-dawn power snafu wasn’t equipment failure or a storm. It was a raccoon—described by officials as “very curious”—that managed to trip a circuit affecting traffic signals and streetlights across Grand Rapids.
The outage hit early enough that restoration crews were able to get everything back in order before the worst of the morning commute. For a brief window, intersections went dark, but the quick response meant most drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists saw only a temporary flicker rather than a tangled mess.
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No long-term infrastructure concerns surfaced, and the city’s grid appears to have handled the one-animal surge without incident. So, next time you’re stuck at a slow light, blame the raccoons—they’re apparently not big on traffic etiquette.
