Once the height of the storm passes and weather reports indicate it is safe, BELCO will immediately enter the restoration phase of our emergency operations. Our process is designed to assess and repair our facilities, and restore power across the island as quickly and safely as possible.
• Please DO NOT call to report power outages in the immediate aftermath of a major storm so that telephone lines can be available for emergency calls. BELCO will issue a public advisory when to call.
• Check for electrical damage, such as frayed wires, downed power lines, sparks, or the smell of hot or burned insulation.
• Stay clear of piles of debris or downed foliage that may conceal live power lines.
• Energised lines can be deceiving by appearing lifeless and harmless. DO NOT touch these lines! Stay a safe distance away—at least 33 feet or more!
• DO NOT run from a fallen line. Running from a fallen line may cause your legs to bridge current from higher to lower voltage and you may receive a shock. Instead, keep your legs together and shuffle away with both feet on the ground. Shuffle a safe distance (10 feet or more) away from other utility poles.
• If you see someone injured after touching a downed power line, call 911 for help.
• Customers who have had advanced meters installed no longer need to report power outages as a signal will be received by BELCO automatically when any abnormality, such as a power outage, occurs.