Downed Poles Causing Power Problems, WAPA Says

Power outages across the territory Thursday were from downed poles, not electrical-generating equipment or transformers damaged by Tropical Storm Ernesto, officials said.

With pocket outages across both island districts, rumors swirled that the Water and Power Authority lacked transformers and other key technical gear. Not so, said Shanell Petersen, WAPA’s communications director.

Power plants were operating as they were supposed to, Petersen said, and crews were working to replace storm-battered power poles. Equipment on some of the fallen poles did catch fire, she said, but replacement parts were on island.

“At times, when we have vegetation that impacts the lines, it can cause a fire and sparking, which then may require additional repairs,” she said. “We had a few fires in both districts.”