Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advises that the company conducted a damage assessment earlier today and has commenced restoration works to provide power supply to areas affected by power outages since the passage of Hurricane Richard on Sunday.

The hurricane caused downed power lines and damaged utility poles in several parts of the Belize and Cayo districts. Employees are working diligently to restore power as soon as possible, while priority is being placed on restoration to critical services such as hospitals.

As part of the restoration works, BEL work crews are thoroughly inspecting distribution power lines, as well as service connections to customers’ homes and businesses to ensure that it is safe to energize each community. BEL must ensure that these issues are addressed before energizing power systems in various communities. For example, if the company energizes a power system and there remain wires lying in water, this would present a critical safety hazard to the public.

Customers along the Western Highway from La Democracia to Blackman Eddy may not have power restored until Tuesday due to extensively damaged transmission lines.

Power supply has been restored to Independence Village, Punta Gorda town and surrounding areas. The company expects to restore power to approximately 50% of customers in Dangriga town and surrounding areas while repairs to damaged infrastructure continues.

In Belmopan, San Ignacio and surrounding areas, the company is aiming to restore power supply to at least 80% of customers by later tonight.

In Belize City, power will likely be restored to 60% of customers tonight and in Ladyville and Hattieville, 90% of customers.

Pockets of customers in all affected areas will remain without power due to extensively damaged infrastructure such as transformers and these areas need to remain disconnected in order to conduct repairs.

The Northern Zone, which includes the Corozal and Orange Walk districts and San Pedro town, were not affected by power outages due to Hurricane Richard.

BEL thanks customers for their patience and will continue to provided updated information as it becomes available.

The Power Outage Situation

And while that is the state of the nation after Richard, the fact is much of the nation tonight is still without power after Huricane Richard downed power lined and toppled lamp-posts - leaving most of the country under a blackout - except for the north.
BEL conducted a damage assessment earlier today and power has been restored to some areas. According to a press release sent out by the company late this evening, Hurricane Richard has caused downed lines and damaged poles in the Belize and Cayo Districts.

Residents along the Western Highway from La Democracia to Blackman Eddy may not have their power restored until Tuesday due to extensively damaged transmissions lines.

Power supply has been restored to Independence Village, Punta Gorda Town and surrounding areas. Restoration of power to fifty percent of customers in Dangriga Town and surrounding areas was expected today. In Belmopan, San Ignacio and surrounding areas, the company is aiming to restore power supply to at least eighty percent of residents by later tonight.

In Belize City - power will likely be restored to sixty percent of residents tonight and in Ladyville and Hattieville, ninety percent of those residences will be restored.

There will be other areas that will remain without power due to the extensive damage of infrastructure. These areas remain disconnected while repairs are conducted.

Channel 7

B.E.L. customers in the dark; when will electricity be back on?
Most of the country still remains without power. Cities, towns and villages across the country lost power shortly after five on Sunday evening as Hurricane Richard made landfall near central Belize. It’s now twenty-four hours later and electricity is yet to be restored in areas in the central, western and southern districts. And according to B.E.L., it is working diligently, but complete restoration is not expected until later in the week. B.E.L. says the storm fell utility poles across the Belize and Cayo Districts significantly destroying numerous transmission lines. It is prioritizing to restore electricity in key places, including hospitals. The juice has been restored to Independence Village and Punta Gorda Town and is expected to be returned to La Democracia and Blackman Eddy villages by Tuesday. In Dangriga half of all customers will be plugged in while the company continues to repair damaged infrastructure. B.E.L. says electricity should also be brought back other areas of Belize City, Ladyville and Hattieville later tonight. There will be; however, areas that will remain without power for a longer period of time due to extensively damaged transformers and other equipment. According to B.E.L., the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts as well as San Pedro Town in Belize Rural South were not affected by outages. We also note that kids will be staying home throughout Tuesday. Classes will not resume until Wednesday at the directive of the Ministry of Education.

Channel 5