Valentine Balloon Causes Power Outage
Approximately 125 customers were out of power briefly this evening [Feb.14] in the Langton Hill, Pembroke area, with a BELCO spokesperson confirming it was caused by a big aluminum Valentine’s Day balloon coming into contact with the main line out of the St John’s substation. The outage occurred at approximately 8.40pm, and BELCO crews had the power restored by 11.00pm.
The power of love eh!
heliium baloons should be banned in Bermuda. At least this one got caught in a Belco wire. Most of them end up drifting into the ocean where they endanger sea life.
The love of power…
These shiny silver balloons are not aluminum. They are made with mylar – a durable form of plastic which can float around the ocean for 50 years before it breaks down! Balloons outside should be banned!
Mylar contains a thin film of aluminum, making it an electricity conductor … But, yeah, those balloons do more damage to wildlife.
I’m surprised BELCO’s system is not more redundant. This is kind of embarrassing as it makes it seem like it would be pretty easy to knock down Bermuda’s overall electrical infrastructure.
And if balloons are banned so should boats, jet skis, sea doos, and other marine vehicles. The latter I’m sure do way more damage to the local marine ecosystem than balloons.
The power going out on Valentine’s night….KEMH Maternity ward will be busy in November.
So BELCO, why was the power out on St. John’s Road on Saturday for six hours? Feral chickens?