This morning (Oct. 2), in the interest of safety, the Ministry of National Security urged sensible and responsible behaviour as the island continues to experience the aftereffects of Hurricane Imelda.
The Bermuda Weather Service advised that the Hurricane Warning is now being downgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning as Hurricane Imelda moves away towards our northeast.
Even though the storm has passed, Bermuda will navigate unsettled weather conditions.
The island will continue to experience strong to tropical storm force northerly winds, which will gradually ease and veer northeast.
The Minister of National Security, Michael Weeks said, “I wish to extend my best wishes to all of Bermuda and express my hope that all are faring well. With daylight hours approaching, we are urging persons to stay off the roads. We will continue to experience pockets of unsettled weather conditions throughout the morning.”
The Minister noted that currently the EMO is receiving damage assessments as reports from overnight come into the Operations Group. Based on these assessments, the Minister will provide an update later this morning regarding the resumption and operation of services, reopening of the Causeway, airport, bus and ferry service and others.
However, it is critical that persons stay off the roads to allow the restoration teams, inclusive of Works & Engineering, Parks, the Regiment, BELCO and other utilities to clear debris from the roads and get the island back up and running safely and quickly.
As it relates to BELCO, their outage map notes that as of 7.00 a.m. there were just over 17,000 customers without power.
BELCO advised again:
- Only call 955 in an emergency such as a pole fire.
- Always assume a downed wire is live. Never approach a downed wire, try to move it or touch it.
- BELCO crews are conducting damage assessments, reporting findings and beginning the restoration process.
The public will be updated as information becomes available. They can also follow official Government updates via all its social media platforms.