Sept 7, 2006 — Heavy rains and unusually active lightning caused power outages, downed lines, damaged poles and many challenges for St. Thomas V.I. Water and Power Authority line crews on Wednesday night, according to a WAPA release issued Thursday.
The release continues: "Line and plant crews worked tirelessly despite the hazards of the stormy weather to restore power to St. John and several feeders on St. Thomas' East End.
"Most of the main feeders, which tripped shortly after 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening, were restored to power by 9 p.m. Feeders servicing the Brookman Road and Ridge Road areas were completely restored later Wednesday night. Crews continued throughout the day Thursday to replace transformers, utility poles and lines and to restore power to several areas on St. Thomas.
According to WAPA's Acting Executive Director, Lorelei Farrington, the power outages were actually a result of the system protecting itself, as intended. 'When lightning strikes our poles, transformers, or substations, the lightning arrestors installed on our equipment immediately go into protective mode,' she said. Lightning arrestors, protective devices for limiting surge voltages, help prevent damage to electrical equipment exposed to the natural elements." [end of release]
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