BELCO Issue Hurricane Preparedness Reminder
BELCO has issued a hurricane preparedness reminder, urging property owners to trim trees near power lines and take safety precautions ahead of the storm season.
A spokesperson said, “With hurricane season now underway, Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited [BELCO] confirms that it is prepared and ready to respond to potential storm impacts this season. As part of community-wide preparedness efforts, BELCO is reminding property owners of their important responsibility to maintain adequate clearance between trees and power lines.
“Property owners must ensure that trees on private property are trimmed at least 10 feet away from power lines. Proper tree maintenance in advance of storm season prevents branches from pulling down power lines and utility poles, which pose serious safety risks to the public. Most power outages in Bermuda result from vegetation coming into contact with power lines, making proactive tree trimming one of the most effective ways to maintain electricity service during storms.
“In 2024 Hurricane Ernesto demonstrated the critical importance of vegetation management, with customers in areas such as Ess Hill in Paget and Fort Hamilton in Pembroke experiencing extended outages due to overgrown trees and shrubs on private properties. Proper maintenance of vegetation near power lines is essential for efficient power restoration following storms.
“Property owners planning to trim trees near power lines must prioritize safety above all else. Power lines must be temporarily de-energized before any trimming work can begin. To schedule a temporary outage for safe tree trimming, property owners should contact BELCO at 295-5111 or email treetrimming@belco.bm at least three weeks in advance. Property owners unsure about tree proximity to power lines can request guidance by contacting BELCO directly.
“Medical device dependent customers are also encouraged to prepare by discussing emergency plans with their physician or health care provider now – in case an extended power outage in the aftermath of a storm is experienced. It is important to plan because hurricanes are unpredictable and each storm impacts BELCO’s distribution network differently. This means BELCO can never guarantee continuity of supply during and after a storm.
“Residents should also prepare emergency kits, review generator safety procedures, and identify how to report downed power lines safely. Never approach or touch downed power lines, and always assume they are energized.”
BELCO Managing Director, Shelly Leman said, “Forecasters are predicting another above average hurricane season and our team at BELCO are well-prepared for any storms that may impact us this year. I am also proud of our team whose efforts in post-hurricane restoration work has been acknowledged with three Edison Electric Institute [EEI] Emergency Response Awards [ERA] for our restoration efforts, with the most recent one being awarded following Hurricane Ernesto in 2024. These awards are testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and that we are committed to restoring power to our customers quickly and safely under challenging conditions.”
The spokesperson said, “More information about hurricane preparedness and safety can be found on BELCO’s website at www.belco.bm.”
