Storm Centre – Bahamas Power and Light Company

Bahamas Power and Light Hurricane Preparedness

At Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), we maintain a year-round commitment to hurricane preparedness. Our emergency response plans, carefully reviewed and regularly tested, are designed to effectively manage severe weather events that could disrupt electrical service. Hurricanes, with their strong winds and lightning, pose a significant threat to electrical services, but we are prepared to restore services swiftly, efficiently and safely.

BPL is dedicated to “Building for Better Preparedness,” providing you with essential tools and information to help you prepare for and recover from hurricane impacts.

Be Prepared

Our Storm Centre offers detailed guides to help you secure your home and manage electrical safety during storms, including step-by-step instructions for emergency preparedness.

Safety Tips and Emergency Contacts

Find useful tips on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane to ensure your safety and that of your loved ones. Our listing of emergency contacts and resources makes crucial information readily accessible. Safety is our top priority—please avoid downed power lines and comply with all safety advisories.

Before the Storm

Be prepared by assembling an emergency supply kit now. This kit should include everything you and your family might need for at least two weeks, such as medicines, water, non-perishable food, and other essentials that might be hard to find after the storm.
Stay informed by tuning into a radio or TV for the latest weather forecasts and important updates from local officials.
Make sure to charge all your portable chargers, cellphones, laptops, and other devices in advance to stay connected and informed.
Have a plan in place to move family members, especially those with special needs, to a safe location if a long-term power outage occurs or if you need to evacuate.
Double-check your insurance policies and keep extra copies of important documents in a waterproof container within your emergency kit.

After the Storm

Stay clear of any fallen or downed power lines. Assume they are live and dangerous, as well as anything they are touching, like trees or fences.
Report on power-related emergencies.

Restoration Efforts

In the event of a hurricane, our teams are on the front lines, working tirelessly to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Once the storm subsides, we prioritize restoring power to crucial facilities like hospitals, airports, and water treatment plants. This ensures that essential services continue uninterrupted, safeguarding public health and safety.

At BPL, we are committed to supporting you through every stage of a hurricane with a focus on “Building for Better Preparedness.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I come into contact with a downed power line?

If you come into contact with a downed power line, do not touch it! Always assume that the power line is live (energized). Report it immediately to BPL Emergency Services.

What should I do if my house is flooded and water gets into the electrical sockets?

For safety during a flood, turn off the main breaker to prevent electric shock and avoid flooded areas with electrical equipment. Do not touch flooded electrical systems; ensure all power is off before repairs, have a licensed contractor assess your sockets, and get an inspection by the Electrical Inspection Department before restoring power.

How long will the electricity be off?

During severe weather events such as thunderstorms and hurricanes, predicting the exact duration of a power outage is challenging due to factors like the extent of infrastructure damage, the number of customers affected, and the time needed for repairs.

Why does power restoration take time?

Our strategic restoration process prioritizes repairing essential infrastructure like power plants and transmission lines first. Critical facilities such as hospitals and emergency services are then restored. Next, we focus on restoring power to the largest number of customers, followed by smaller groups. This comprehensive, round-the-clock approach ensures safety and efficiency but may take time under complex circumstances.

How will customers be updated concerning restoration of supply to affected areas?

We will provide daily updates on our restoration efforts, crew locations, and power restoration progress through traditional and social media channels.

Why does replacing a utility pole take a significant amount of time?

Replacing a utility pole takes some time. It involves temporarily turning off power for safety, removing attached wires or transformers, carefully removing damaged poles, and installing new poles to meet industry safety and reliability standards.

How is it that the other areas surrounding me have light and I do not have light?

There are several reasons for this: a service issue in your house needing a private electrician, different distribution lines feeding you and your neighbor, or a fault on the distribution line affecting only a few buildings.

Why does only a part of my house have supply?

If you and your neighbors are experiencing a similar issue, it may be due to a blown fuse on the transformer. This should be reported to BPL Emergency Service. If the issue is isolated to your property only, you should engage a private electrical contractor.

How will I be billed for the time electricity was off during the hurricane?

Your account is only billed based on units consumed. So, for the time your power was out during the hurricane, you won’t be charged.

Report an Outage

If you are experiencing an outage after a storm has passed, please fill out the form below to report the issue to our team. We will work to resolve the outage as quickly as possible.

Storm Updates

No current updates.