 As a result, the internet editions of Advance newspapers as far removed from the blackout area as "The Birmingham News", the New Orleans "Times-Picayune", and "The Oregonian" were offline for days.Amateur radio operators passed emergency communications during the blackout.Large numbers of factories were closed in the affected area, and others outside the area were forced to close or slow work because of supply problems and the need to conserve energy while the grid was being stabilized.