Updating: BELCO Say 66% of Island Lost Power
[Updated] We will be providing BELCO updates as long as we are able.
The following came from BELCO this morning [Sept 19]
As strong winds started to be felt in the early hours of the morning 3 circuits tripped at just after 3:00 AM, affecting approximately 2,000 customers in the Granaway Heights, Cut Road St. Georges and Stonington-Harmony Hall areas. Power was restored to all, but all have since tripped again and two have been reinstated. A crew is en route to Cut Road St. Georges – that outage affects approx. 472 customers.
Another circuit in the Crystal Caves/Walsingham area has also tripped, affecting approximately 286 customers, and there are branch lines out at White Sands Road and Jubilee/Watlington Roads.
This means that currently, approximately 865 customers are without power.
Of course, this is just the start of Hurricane Igor’s strong winds. We expect to see many more outages as the storm worsens. Crews will be sent, but we want to caution again that BELCO will stand down its crews when conditions become unsafe. Again, that will coincide approximately with the closing of the Causeway when consistent storm force winds reach the Island.
We have crews and equipment on both sides of the Causeway, so when the worst of Hurricane Igor is over, sometime on Monday, they will be prepared to begin a full restoration process.
8am Update:
Total customers out as of 800am – approx 3,650
Circuits Out
- Fractious Street Circuit #258 – Walsingham / Crystal Caves area – Time of Outage @604 am, Customers affected 286.
- St Georges #464 – Cut Road area –@655 am, Customers affected 472.
- Evans Bay #280 – Granaway Heights area –@ 717 am, Customers affected 1015.
- Admiralty #1552 – North Shore (Adm Park to Berkeley Hill) –@0718 am, Customers affected 735.
- Belmont #277 – Warwick Pond area, St Mary’s Rd – @0719 am, Customers affected 776
Branch Lines Out
- White Sands Road –Customers affected 50.
- Jubilee Road/Watlington Road –Customers affected 55.
- Cottage Hill/Abbotts Crescent – Customers affected 163.
- Several smaller branch lines.
Single Calls
Less than 10.
10am Update: 2,500 without power
Causeway has been closed (we do have crews and equipment on both sides of Causeway). BELCO continues to evaluate weather conditions regarding crew response. Will alert you if/when a decision is made to stand down crews.
The myth continues to circulate that BELCO will turn off power at 6:00 PM. Anything that you can do to let the public know that this is completely false would be much appreciated. BELCO does not shut down power. We do everything possible to keep power on to as many customers as possible at all times.
Total customers out as of 10:00 am – approx 2500
Crews are working to restore power.
- Circuits Out
- Evans Bay 280 – Granaway Heights area Customers affected 1015 (this has gone out several times)
- Branch Lines Out
- Jubilee Road/Watlington Road
- Cottage Hill/Abbotts Crescent
- Loyalty Estate/Loyalty Drive
- Sofar Drive
- Hinson Lane
- Ocean Avenue
- Tribe Rd 2 Warwick
- South Road Warwick (area of The Breakers, Sea Cliffs)
- Several smaller branch lines
- Single Calls — Less than 20.
12:30pm update: BELCO reports 6,000 without power
BELCO asks the public to call BELCO at 955 to report emergencies, such as downed lines and leaning poles.When we stand down crews, we will still work to address emergencies that pose a danger to the public.
Total customers out at NOON – approx 6100
Circuits Out
- Evans Bay 280 – Granaway Heights area. Customers affected 1015.
- Flatts 453 – Harrington Sound Road
- Fractious Street 258 – Walsingham/Crystal Caves area
- Ft Hamilton 230 – Trimingham Hill area
- Southampton Princess 444 – Riviera Estate
- Parsons Lane 1108 – South Road Devonshire/Brighton Hill
- Belmont 277 – Warwick Pond area
Branch Lines Out
- Same ones listed earlier + several more.
Single Calls
- Numerous
2:00pm Update 7,00 without power
At 2:00 PM, approximately 7000 customers were without power. (We will continue to provide updates throughout the storm.)
Since the noon update, as the storm has intensified, BELCO’s Hurricane Igor Incident Command have made the decision that all crews will now stand down, effective immediately, until storm force winds abate. With the worst of the hurricane yet to come, the plan calls for crews to be sent back out into the field as soon as possible on Monday when conditions improve.
BELCO’s Plant will continue to generate power throughout the storm.
The public are asked to call 955 to report emergencies, such as downed power lines. BELCO emergencies will be dealt with by opening circuit breakers from BELCO’s Operations Centre.
We know this will be difficult news for all who lose power, and we appreciate the public’s cooperation as we protect our crews. We urge everyone to remain safely at home.
Circuits Out
- Evans Bay 280 – Granaway Heights area – Approx 690 off
- Flatts 453 – Harrington Sound Road – Approx 530 off
- Flatts 458 – Flatts Hill/Middle Road – Approx 450 off
- Ft Hamilton 230 – Trimingham Hill area – Approx 200 off
- Parsons Lane 1107 – Devon Heights, Devon Spring, – Approx 550 off
- Parsons Lane 1104 – North Shore Devonshire – Approx 400 off
- Ess Hill 351– Middle Rd – Approx 450 off
- Ess Hill 352 – Cobbs Hill, Dunscombe Rd – Approx 500 off
- Belmont 277 – Warwick Pond area – Approx 700 off
- Pitts Bay 1330 – Between the Walls, Pitts Bay Rd, Fairylands, Point Shares – Approx 600 off
- Somerset 287 – Main road Somerset – Approx 500 off
Branch Lines Out
- Numerous across the island
Single Calls
- Numerous across the island
4:30pm Update
Total customers out as of 4:00 PM – approx 16,000. BELCO has approx 35,500 customers, so about half the island is without power.
All crews have been stood down for safety reasons until storm force winds abate. Any emergencies will be dealt with by opening circuit breakers from Ops Centre.
Circuits Out
- Total of 24 mainline circuits across the island.
Branch Lines Out
- Numerous across the island
Single Calls
- Numerous across the island
4:48pm Update
BELCO advises customers to unplug sensitive electronic equipment to avoid it being damaged during the storm, or after the storm when power is restored. BELCO requests that people call 955 to report emergencies, such as downed power lines. BELCO is aware of the widespread outages, and can see them on its system. There is no need to call if everyone around you is also without power. Customers are advised to wait until after the storm to report outages that seem isolated to small pockets. Then, please call only once. Call again only if your neighbours’ power has been restored, but yours has not. The length of the restoration process will depend on the damage done by Hurricane Igor. BELCO assessment teams will go out after the storm. We will provide information about restoration plans and progress.
6:37pm Update, 19,500 out of power..almost 60% of Bermuda.
With the worst of Hurricane Igor still to come, approximately 19,500 customers were without power at 6:00 PM. This reflects 36 mainline circuits out across the island, as well as many branch lines, and numerous single-customer outages.
BELCO wants customers to know that when the restoration process begins, priority is given to people who require life-support, and to essential services, such as the hospital and airport, police, etc. Then, priority is given to ensuring security of supply, which means restoring service to BELCO’s substations.
Then, in order to get the maximum number of customers on at once, priority is given to restoring mainline circuits. Crews then work down to branch lines and finally to small groups and individual customers.
The restoration process begins with damage assessment after the storm. BELCO will provide updates about restoration planning and progress tomorrow and in the days ahead.
8pm update, 21,000 without power
As of 8 pm, Hurricane Igor’s winds continue to take a toll on the electricity distribution system with approximately 21,000 customers without power across the Island. BELCO has 40 circuits out, as well as many branch lines and numerous single outages island-wide. BELCO has approx. 35,500 customers.
BELCO Power Plant staff are working through the night, as is the Operations Centre. Crews will be redeployed and damage assessment will begin as soon as possible after the storm, with much of the work commencing at first light when BELCO teams can visually assess the system. BELCO will provide restoration planning and progress updates tomorrow, starting first thing in the morning.
10pm update, 23,600 without power, last update till morning.
We have reached the forecast closest point of approach for Hurricane Igor with total customers out as of 10 PM – approx 23600. This is likely to increase through the night
BELCO will conduct its restoration process with a three-pronged approach, with damage assessors and crews in 3 sections – Central Parishes, Eastern Parishes, Western Parishes. Currently, the outages in each of these areas are as follows:
Central – approx 9000
East – approx 6000
West – approx 8600
Total of 45 mainline circuits are out across the island, along with many branch lines and numerous single calls.
BELCO’s commitment is to provide a secure, reliable energy supply for the people of Bermuda. With Hurricane Igor upon us, the entire company is focused on restoration of power. This is our final update for tonight. We will resume updates early in the morning
Photo below shows BELCO crew working overnight in the St. George’s area last night:
I love Belco! lost but back on in St. G! keep up the great work boys!
Hat’s off to Belco to be out working in this. Great job on the information updates to both Belco and Bernews.
Last night? The winds weren’t that bad last night, I’ve seen worse in winter storms and the power never seems to go out then.
Hey belco guys head up to granaway heights area….. Storm aint here yet and my power is out