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TS Ernesto: ‘Prepare for potential outages’- BVIEC

The BVI Electricity Corporation has assured it will do everything possible to ensure that customers are not exposed to unsafe conditions that may result from the provision of power from its transmission and distribution system during the expected adverse weather conditions. Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands (VI) has been alerted to prepare for potential loss of electricity due to Tropical Storm Ernesto, which is forecast to impact the Virgin Islands this evening, August 13, 2024. Photo: Facebook
The Virgin Islands (VI) has been alerted to prepare for potential loss of electricity due to Tropical Storm Ernesto, which is forecast to impact the Virgin Islands this evening, August 13, 2024. Photo: Facebook
Ernesto is moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 km/h). Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts, according to the National Hurricane Centre in its 8:00 AM update. Photo: NHC
Ernesto is moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 km/h). Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts, according to the National Hurricane Centre in its 8:00 AM update. Photo: NHC
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands (VI) has been alerted to prepare for potential loss of electricity due to Tropical Storm Ernesto forecast to impact the Virgin Islands this evening, August 13, 2024.

“With severe weather approaching [the] Virgin Islands, please prepare for potential outages,” the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) stated on its Facebook page Monday night, August 12, 2024.

Safety first- BVIEC

The Corporation assured that it will do everything possible to ensure that customers are not exposed to unsafe conditions that may result from the provision of power from its transmission and distribution system during the expected adverse weather conditions.

“The BVIEC intends to maintain the provision of electricity throughout the territory until such time as conditions that may create unsafe conditions (broken lines, fallen trees etc.) for the general public occur. If this occurs the respective areas will be de-energized.”

BVIEC explained that it is of the highest priority to safeguard the public from dangerous conditions resulting from fallen energised high voltage lines.

“Although our protection systems are designed to safeguard against such occurrences, the practice is always to avoid fallen lines and report them to the BVIEC at (284) 852-4600 as soon as possible,” BVIEC stated.

Ernesto

On Tuesday morning, Tropical Storm Ernesto was located about 300 miles (480 kilometres) east-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico. It had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and was moving west at 18 mph (30 kph).

Ernesto is the fifth named storm of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season. It is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane early Thursday over open waters on a path toward Bermuda.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year because of record-warm ocean temperatures. It forecasted 17 to 25 named storms, with four to seven major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.

9 Responses to “TS Ernesto: ‘Prepare for potential outages’- BVIEC”

  • Surf zone (13/08/2024, 10:50) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is this because your single cooling water intake pipe serving all three of the older generators has been shortened into the surf zone so will be sucking sand weed and other debris.
    • To Surf Zone (13/08/2024, 12:27) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      The BVI is pro-active in turning off the power when the winds reach a certain strength (45-50mph). This is a smart safety practice, to prevent live downed power lines. I for one am thankful!
  • Hum (13/08/2024, 10:53) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Road town
    Fload
  • BVI /UK (13/08/2024, 11:31) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Whether Storm or not, they always have outages!
  • Don't trust them. (13/08/2024, 12:34) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    They will be happy to shut us down quickly and keep us off for longer than necessary..Saving fuel is saving money, thats their #1 Priority. The Storm give them the best reason. They son't really care about the people. No Storm and no current all day Friday..
  • Wow! (13/08/2024, 12:55) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I remember when the power was shut off when the wind got very strong, We were able to do much in our homes until then. Now thunder, rain and lightning shuts it down.
  • The Electrician (13/08/2024, 16:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please don't use your rear end as an insulator.
  • Hugo + Irma (13/08/2024, 16:52) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    after these storms they had a chance to put a lot of lines underground. Yes, - initially more expensive. But would probably been a better idea for them economically over the longer run and of course for the consumer to have more reliable elec supply. Not to mention a set of third world power lines hanging on crooked poles in the best of times.
    • @Hugo + Irma (13/08/2024, 17:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      So glad I didn't have to mentioned this again. They had the opportunity and chose not to smh. Idk why we living like we 3rd world in 2024 knowing that storms are common thinsg in our region. Run lines underground and invest in more solar energy like wind turbines, solar panels etc we invest in party but not to Future proof the country


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