A single storm can knock out power across Bermuda in a matter of hours. Getting it back, safely and as quickly as possible, takes months of preparation, a team working around the clock, and a few simple steps from you. With the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season now underway, running from June 1 through November 30, here is a look at how BELCO prepares for storms, how we restore power once one passes, and what you can do to keep yourself, your family, and our crews safe.
Preparation is a year-round commitment
Ahead of any storm, supplies including poles, transformers, fuses, and conductor wire are positioned in strategic locations across the island to support restoration work. Additional materials such as protective equipment and hand tools are also stockpiled so that crews have what they need to respond quickly once a storm has passed. Every department within the Company has a vital role to play in restoring power to the island, and our vehicle fleet is kept fully charged, fuelled, and stocked with the necessary tools and equipment.
Before and during a storm
Throughout a storm, our control room operates around the clock, with a dedicated team monitoring the network in real time. Every outage is logged and tracked as it occurs, giving the team a live picture of damage across the island. Priority is given to identifying and addressing pole fires, which can occur due to salt deposits on the lines. The control room works in close coordination with crew supervisors on the ground, relaying information, directing resources, and updating the restoration plan as the picture develops, so that by the time a storm has passed, the team already has a detailed map of the damage and crews are ready to deploy.
The safety of our crews is a key priority. For this reason, crews do not work during the height of a storm. We ask everyone, including BELCO employees, to follow the advice of the Emergency Measures Organisation and to stay inside and out of harm’s way until conditions allow safe work to resume.
How power is restored
Our priority is to restore power to all customers as quickly and as safely as possible. Repairs follow a specific order: main circuits first, then branch lines, and then individual customers. This order is necessary because main lines feed all other lines. A customer in the middle or at the end of a branch line cannot receive electricity until all of the repairs between their property and the main power supply have been completed. If your property is fed from a branch line but there is major damage upstream on the main line, the main line must be repaired first before your branch line can receive supply. BELCO also works to restore the largest pockets of outages first, bringing power back to the greatest number of customers as quickly as possible.
During a major restoration, crews work from 8 am to midnight, a 16-hour window that reflects the scale and urgency of the work. Built-in rest periods are not optional, because fatigue is a serious safety risk when working with live electricity infrastructure. This structured approach allows us to sustain restoration efforts over multiple days when needed, without compromising safety or the quality of the work.
Please help us keep the lines clear
There are important exceptions. If you notice electrical damage at your property, such as frayed wires, downed power lines, sparks, or the smell of hot or burned insulation, call 955 right away. Stay clear of piles of debris or downed foliage that may conceal live power lines. Energised lines can appear lifeless and harmless, so never touch them. Stay at least 33 feet away from any downed wire and call 955 to report it.
A particular danger to our crews comes from improperly connected generators. If a generator is connected incorrectly, it can feed power back down a line that crews believe is not live, creating a serious electrocution hazard. Generators connected to main panels should always be checked by a qualified electrician.
What property owners can do
If you plan to trim trees near power lines, the line’s electricity must be disconnected first. To schedule a temporary disconnection for tree trimming safety, please call BELCO at 295-5111 or email at least three weeks in advance of your planned work.
If you do lose power during a storm, unplug sensitive electronic equipment such as computers, televisions, and other appliances. When supply is restored it can return with a power surge that may damage equipment left plugged in, so it is best to disconnect these items and reconnect them gradually once power is stable.
We also ask all customers who rely on medical devices to discuss emergency plans with their physician or health representative ahead of time and to make appropriate arrangements. BELCO can never guarantee a restoration time to any home or business, and it is important to note that we never shut off power to customers during a storm.
We are not alone
Stay informed
When a storm is approaching or has passed, follow our social media pages and visit the Storm Centre on our website for accurate, real-time information on outages and restoration efforts. We are committed to keeping all of Bermuda informed and updated throughout and following every storm, and we will keep you posted through our website, our social media channels, and local media.