The Tribune

THE Bahamas Electricity Corporation said yesterday it had restored electricity supplies to the majority of consumers hit by the storm.

BEC teams were continuing their efforts to restore supply to a ‘handful’ of customers who remained without electricity and as of 2pm yesterday supplies had been fully restored to sections of the following communities: Gamble Heights, Coral Harbour, Boatswain Hill, Mackey Street, South Beach Estate; Valencia Dr, Jasmine Gardens, Plantol Street, Collins Ave, Silver Palms, Imperial Park, Faith Gardens.

Crews were delayed in completing repairs in Nassau East South, Cartwright St, and Ritchville Subdivision, due to high water levels.

Once the water has receded to safe levels restoration efforts will continue in these areas, BEC said.

Sterling Moss, manager of distribution maintenance at BEC, said last night: “We have a number of areas on the island that are still off as well as the eastern areas and a couple of pockets on the island. We are working as we speak [to have people connected, again]; some of them are related to the flood. By virtue of that, we are waiting for waters to abate - we need the Ministry of Works also to confirm to us, with those residences, the safety of those areas before we restore supplies to them.

“We did [intentionally cut power]. There were one or two areas in Pinewood where we did discover homes under water so as an aspect of safety, BEC did disconnect electricity for the safety of those residents.”

BEC encouraged residents whose homes had been flooded to levels that reached above electrical outlets to immediately turn off the power supply to their homes and not to re-energize them until they had an electrical inspection carried out.

Consumers should continue to contact BEC emergency numbers at 323-5561-4 or 302-1800 to report outages or power-related concerns.