Severe storms and natural disasters can cause a variety of electrical safety hazards in and around our homes. Lightning, downed power lines, and floods are just a few of the serious safety concerns associated with storms.

To help protect you from storm-related electrical hazards following a storm, The Grand Bahama Power Authority may deem a residence or business unsafe to energize. Here is a quick guide to help you identify why your home or business may not receive power.

As we make safety our top priority, we ask that you do the same. Please follow these critical electrical safety guidelines:

• Stay away from downed power lines. Always assume that a downed power line is energized, and move away to safety.
• Stay out of floodwaters. Floodwaters can hide energized power lines or other hazards, or put you at risk of drowning.
• Caution: Use portable generations safely. DO NOT connect a portable generator to home circuits. Plug appliances directly to the generator. Connecting a generator to home circuits may cause power to flow to outside lines, posing life-threatening danger to restoration crews. Also, portable generators must not be taken into a residence or any enclosed space where deadly carbon monoxide gases could build up.

At GBPC, safety comes first – for you and for our team members who work to keep the power flowing to your community. With our comprehensive plans to restore power, our year-round commitment to hardening our system and the way we recognize the priority of your neighbourhood’s needs during and after severe weather, our focus is on our customers.

If your electric service system is damaged due to severe weather, it is GBPC’s responsibility to handle actual repairs to service and the responsibility of individual customers to repair other components.

Assume that all overhead wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe to touch even if it is down or appears to be insulated. Never touch a fallen overhead power line.

Call GBPC to report fallen electrical lines. Stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from overhead wires during cleanup and other activities. If working at heights or handling long objects, survey the area before starting work for the presence of overhead wires.