The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Electricity Corporation officials are still working to restore electricity supplies to those southern islands hardest hit by Hurricane Joaquin late last week.

However, BEC said it will “take some time” to complete repairs and restore power to San Salvador, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Rum Cay and the southern portion of Long Island – the areas left most devastated by the category four storm. Those areas have been without electricity since Joaquin began battering them on Thursday.

“In some instances, the entire electrical infrastructure on the island will have to be replaced. For example, the power station in Crooked Island was destroyed along with most poles and overhead lines on the island. Similarly, the power station building in San Salvador sustained significant damage,” BEC said.

“Further inhibiting efforts in most of these communities, flood waters in some areas still have not receded to a level safe enough to carry out repairs and/or restore supply,” the statement added.

BEC said Mayaguana, Ragged Island and Exuma have had full power restored. On Cat Island and Inagua, electricity has been restored to most areas with only minor repairs underway.

According to BEC, Long Cay and Rum Cay are still without power as a result of damage to BEC’s distribution systems on those islands.

In Acklins, significant damage to the electrical infrastructure will keep power supplies off, however, a team is said to be conducting assessments.

A team from New Providence is presently in San Salvador evaluating BEC’s generation and distribution systems there.

Additionally, in Crooked Island, large-scale damage to BEC’s networks on the island has hampered reconnection efforts. The electricity infrastructure on the island will need to be replaced, BEC said.

A BEC team is also said to be on the island conducting a further assessment of the damage.

In Long Island, supply has been restored to some sections in the north and progress had been made as far south as McCanns as of yesterday. BEC added that from Salt Pond headed south on Long Island, there was significant damage that would need more personnel and resources to repair.

“Despite the existing challenges, BEC has already begun mobilizing teams and resources for these islands. Supplies out of New Providence, other Family Island operations, and from international vendors will be shipped in to these islands as early as this week.

“In the meantime, teams in the affected islands have started to do some clearing and clean-up work in advance of the additional resources reaching the islands,” BEC said.

The corporation said there are no established timelines for restoration at this time, and has advised its customers in the affected areas that teams in New Providence and on the affected islands are fully committed to full restoration “as quickly as possible.”