thebahamasweekly.com - (Updated) Bahamas Power and Light issues Controlled Shutdown Update

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(Updated) Bahamas Power and Light issues Controlled Shutdown Update
By Bahamas Power and Light Company Limited-BPL
Oct 5, 2016 - 3:44:38 PM

BAHAMAS POWER AND LIGHT UPDATE regarding Hurricane Matthew affecting The Bahamas...

October 5, 2016
Bahamas Power and Light Company Limited (BPL) is revising an earlier release after new information from the Bahamas Department of Meteorology.

Earlier forecasts called for tropical storm force conditions to begin impacting New Providence Wednesday afternoon and hurricane force conditions around midnight. Now, new forecasts show that tropical storm force conditions will not impact New Providence until midnight with hurricane force conditions expected at abou t 7am on Thursday morning.

BPL is now amending the times of the controlled shutdowns as follows:
• When maximum sustained winds reach 40 MPH, BPL will be operating a controlled shutdown of the following areas with significant vegetation near power lines: Seabreeze, South Beach Estates, Sans Souci, Skyline Heights, Sanford Drive, Imperial Park, Grove West Bay Street, Orange Hill, and Eastern Road. BPL anticipates that the controlled shutdown of these areas should now take place at 11:30pm on Wednesday October 5. BPL advises its customers in these areas to begin preparing well in advance of this set time.

• BPL further advises that as Hurricane Matthew moves closer to the capital, conditions are expected to worsen and the company may no longer be able to safely provide power to all customers in New Providence. Most customers will have their supply interrupted at 6:30am on Thursday October 6, 2016. The company will continue generating power throughout the storm and providing electricity only where it can safely do so.

Customers in New Providence and the Family Islands are also advised that BPL’s crews will not begin the restoration process until the all clear is given and initial damage assessments are complete. Further, customers who evacuate their homes are advised to turn off their main breaker switch before leaving to avoid potential dangers during the storm and when supply is restored.

Until it is no longer safe for crews to work, BPL teams will continue to respond to power related emergencies in New Providence. Customers can contact 302-1800 or 323-5561 if they have a power related concern.