BELCO Sunday Evening Restoration Update

October 26, 2014

“Saturday marked a week since Hurricane Gonzalo departed Bermuda, making it the second severe storm to do so in a week’s time, following on the heels of Tropical Storm Fay,” BELCO said this evening [Oct 26] adding that as of 4:00pm today, approximately 2,062 customers remain without power.

A statement from the company said, “These unprecedented back-to-back storms created considerable damage island-wide, including damage to Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited’s [BELCO’s] system.

“When Gonzalo struck, BELCO was nearing completion of the Tropical Storm Fay restoration process; so, with some 1,500 customers still without power, BELCO began the Hurricane Gonzalo restoration effort.

“Today, just over a week into Hurricane Gonzalo restoration, as of 4:00pm, approximately 2,062 customers remain without power, including some customers who did not have power restored after Fay – although not all; please note that more than two-thirds of those Fay customers have had their lights go on thus far, during Gonzalo restoration.

“Restoration of power for the remaining Fay customers remains a priority. Several crews are dedicated to working on these jobs, most of which involve a small number of customers, or an individual customer, and many of which require substantial work.

“The other top priorities being addressed by dedicated crews are commercial customers, including a few commercial customers who have not had power since Fay, as well as customers with serious medical requirements.

“We have been transparent in our communication throughout both restoration processes. That is why, with power having been restored to the majority of our 36,000 customers, we want the remaining 2,062 customers to understand how long they might potentially be without electricity.

“Based on the number of customers who are still awaiting restoration and the number of jobs we expect to complete each day, we have targeted early next weekend to complete the Hurricane Gonzalo restoration process.

“We must caution that unforeseen challenges, such as additional pole fires or very inclement weather, for example, could slow the process. That said, we will do everything possible to complete restoration ahead of target.

“We will continue to keep the community updated about where crews are working, as restoration continues. We also expect that our Customer Care Representatives will be able to provide more specific information to individual customers, as the number of jobs outstanding diminishes day by day.

“We know that to the customers who have been without power longest, this seems like an interminable period. We understand how difficult it is to live without proper lighting, refrigeration and the many conveniences that we expect to have in our homes.

“Our hearts go out to these customers. There is little we can say except that we are sorry that you are going through this, and we are making every effort to restore power to everyone as safely, efficiently and quickly as possible.”

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Comments (15)

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  1. Monday: List Of Areas BELCO To Work On - Bernews.com : Bernews.com | October 27, 2014
  1. Anne says:

    Does anyone know if Ram Goat Hill has been restored?

    • Peanuts says:

      There is still no power on Ramgoat Hill. The linesmen were there earlie, but power has not been restored.

  2. Christopher James says:

    I know it is tough for those still without power (I went 3 weeks after fabian) but I think BELCO has done an amazing job. I know they are working 247 on this and the linemen deserve our thanks and appreciation.

  3. Observer says:

    Belco is doing an excellent job…keep up the good work

  4. el presidenti says:

    Bury ALL Cables!

    • Micro says:

      Are you ready for the higher electricity rates that would surely bring?

  5. somuchless says:

    Just imagine, in some parts of the world when the electricity goes off due to storms etc. Sometimes it takes weeks to get electricty restored.

    • No Power says:

      I don’t need to imagine, it’s happening to me right now.

    • Micro says:

      Just imagine, there are millions of people who don’t even have the privilege of electricity.

  6. Local Yokle says:

    @somuchless… Hmm sounds like Bermuda…

  7. Bermuda123 says:

    Can we have a full discussion and consideration of the budgetary and other implications to putting all cabling underground and mitigating this for the future? I know it will not be easy, but if we can do the analysis and make an informed decision that would be good. If, in the future, some poor individuals are left without power for several weeks, at least we will have made a considered cost/benefit decision.

    Well done Belco, but please don’t let up now. I am not one of the houses out for 2 weeks, but I have a close family member staying with me who is and it is very difficult for them.

  8. Ava says:

    I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Phil and Darren, the BELCO crew working in Sandys/Southampton today! I was behind their van in traffic and I followed them until they stopped (desperate times call for desperate measures!). I asked them if they could stop by my house and they did. They were very nice and I now have power! Thanks again to them and all the crews working 16-hour days to restore power to the island :)

    • Barracuda says:

      How nice for you, however those of us who are still patiently waiting, will now have to wait longer for line jumpers along with everything else.

      • Ava says:

        I lost power before Gonzalo even hit but BELCO kept bypassing my house. If I didn’t approach them I might still be sitting here waiting for my address to appear on their list. If that makes me a line jumper then so be it. Just some friendly advice, if you see BELCO in your area it wouldn’t hurt to approach them and make sure they’re aware you’re residence is without power. Hope your power is restored soon.