BELCO: 816 Customers Without Power At 7.40am

[Updated] As Tropical Storm Karl approaches us, BELCO has assured residents that “hurricane response plans are in action and systems, supplies and staff are prepared.

“The Company established a command headquarters to manage the electricity system throughout the Storm and restoration process after the storm,” BELCO said.

A quick look at the pre-storm weather conditions at 1.30pm today:

“In order to move into restoration mode quickly once the storm has passed, trucks and equipment have been stationed at the east and west ends of the Island as well as at the Central Plant.”

For live updates on Tropical Storm Karl click here & the full statement from BELCO is below:

BELCO would like to advise its customers that due to the anticipated impact of Tropical Storm Karl, its offices will close at 3pm today.

Safety is always a key priority for BELCO, especially during hurricane season. As Tropical Storm Karl makes its way to the Island, BELCO would like to assure residents that hurricane response plans are in action and systems, supplies and staff are prepared.

In preparation for the Storm, the Company established a command headquarters to manage the electricity system throughout the Storm and restoration process after the storm. BELCO also remains in direct contact with the Emergency Measures Organization [EMO].

In order to move into restoration mode quickly once the storm has passed, trucks and equipment have been stationed at the east and west ends of the Island as well as at the Central Plant. Once the storm subsides and it is safe to work, crews will begin the restoration process.

Crews will not be sent out during the height of the storm as it is not safe or practical to do so. During this time, we ask that customers NOT call 955 as phone lines must remain open for emergency calls.

Regular updates on outages and restoration will be provided through the media and through social media on BELCO’s Facebook page and Twitter.

Preparation and Safety tips:

• Have flashlights, batteries and a manual can opener ready. Also, fill bath tubs, sinks and jugs with water.

• Set refrigerators and freezers to the coldest settings before the storm.

• Never touch downed wires since they may be live even if you can’t tell by looking at it. If you see a downed wire call BELCO at 955.

• Never pull fallen trees away from lines or try to carry out repairs by yourself.

• Stay away from areas with a lot of debris or fallen trees, there may be concealed wires hidden in the debris.

• Avoid chain link or metal fences, they may have become energized by fallen wires.

BELCO urges everyone to stay safe before, during and after the storm.  We are ready to serve you and will undertake restoration efforts as quickly and safely as possible.

Update Sept 24, 8.06am: BELCO said there were no major outages during the height of the storm, as of 7:40am a total of 816 customers are currently without power and “given the amount of rain that fell through the night, we do anticipate further outages as tree branches become very heavy and hit or lean against overhead power lines.”

The full statement is below:

I am pleased to advise that there were no major outages during the height of the storm and at 5:30am this morning 15 customers were without power on Seabright Avenue.

As of 7:40am a total of 816 customers are currently without power. The majority of these (739) are out as a result of a mainline fault occurring at 7:19am in the Middle Road, Southampton areas, between Evans Bay Road and High Point Drive. Crews are onsite and working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

Given the amount of rain that fell through the night, we do anticipate further outages as tree branches become very heavy and hit or lean against overhead power lines.

We are thankful as the impact could have been much worse and will continue to dispatch crews to address any further outages to that do occur.

#2016HurricaneSeason #BELCO #Weather

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