Thousands of homes across Bermuda might be without electricity as high winds from Hurricane Nate affect overhead power-lines.

The Bermuda Electric Light Company (Belco) said yesterday it had strategically placed restoration supplies and equipment across the Island in preparation for the restoration of electricity after the hurricane.

?As might be expected, we have been asked whether the recent fire at the Belco plant will increase the likelihood of outages during a storm,? a Belco spokeswoman said. ?The answer is that the overhead distribution system, which is most exposed and likely to be damaged during wind storms, was not affected by last month?s fire, so that portion of the system is as stable as it was before the fire.

?The fire did, however, weaken the underground transmission system which is now more vulnerable to any major impacts brought about by the up-rooting of underground cables by tree roots or damage to underground supplies to the substations. This type of damage is less likely than wind damage to the overhead system.?

The spokeswoman said Belco?s top priority was to maintain power in Hamilton and it would implement rotating outages in other parishes in order to keep Hamilton?s offices open.

?As is normally our practice during a hurricane, with the exception of emergencies, Belco will not respond to power outages in the outlying areas during the height of the storm,? the spokeswoman said.

?Restoration of supplies outside Hamilton will begin following an assessment of the main lines that will be made immediately following passage of the storm.

?Priorities for restoration are emergency services, infrastructure, essential services, hotels and guest houses.?

Should the hurricane cause damage to Belco equipment, the company will start restoration first at the main line circuits that are fed from the substations, progressing out to large branch lines, small branch lines and individual service drops.

?Depending on the extent of damage to the main line system, attempts are made to restore all main line circuits, either totally or partially, before work begins on branch line restoration,? said the spokeswoman.

Belco advised the public how to properly use emergency generators.

?If you are planning to use an emergency generator, you may connect your appliances directly to the generator,? the spokeswoman said.

?However, if you are planning to connect to the main power source of the house, please be sure to turn the main power switch off, and connect the generator to the customer?s side and not the Belco side of the supply. Connecting to the Belco side of the main switch poses a risk to our staff during restoration.?

Sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers, televisions, stereos and DVD players, cable television connections and modems, should be unplugged before the storm?s arrival.

?Leave at least one light on in your house so that you will know when power has been restored,? said the spokeswoman.

?While we all hope that the impact of this storm will be minimal, we will keep the public informed of damage assessments and restoration following passage of the hurricane.?