Hurricane Ernesto Prep: Bermuda Urged to Brace for Impact, National Security Minister Issues Safety Measures

HAMILTON – National Security Minister Michael Weeks is urging Bermudians to be fully prepared for the passage of Hurricane Ernesto that is forecast to be a large hurricane near Bermuda on Saturday and maintain hurricane strength through the weekend.

“Time is running out,” Weeks said, also urging motorists to be off the roads by 7 p.m. (local time) on Friday and throughout Saturday, when the storm will be at its closest.

“I want to remind everyone that we are in this together. The actions we take now will help protect our island and our community. Please remain vigilant, stay informed and, above all, stay safe.”

The authorities have already indicated that the Causeway will also be closed by 10 p.m. today and throughout Saturday, with the Ministry of Public Works assessing the damage on Sunday to determine if it can be opened.

All bus services will be suspended with the last bus running at 7 p.m. There will be no bus services on Saturday. Ferry services are suspended and will resume once weather conditions allow.

Weeks said that government offices will close at 4 p.m. today, urging everyone to resolve government business before then.

The government said emergency shelters will open on Friday and will stay open until conditions allow for safe closure. Weeks said that the LF Wade International Airport will close at 8 p.m. on Friday urging persons with flights over the weekend to check with their airlines for the status of their flights.

He said Air Canada has already cancelled its Friday flight to the island and an American Airlines flight between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Bermuda scheduled to arrive on Saturday will now land on Friday.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest bulletin that the hurricane is expected to produce strong winds, dangerous storm surges and life-threatening flooding across Bermuda from Friday.

It said that the hurricane is about 320 miles south, south west of the British Overseas Territory with maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour (mph).

“The centre of Hurricane Ernesto was located near latitude 28.1 North, longitude 67.0 West. Ernesto is moving toward the north-northeast near 13 mph. This general motion is expected to continue today followed by a slower north-northeastward motion on Saturday.”

NHC said a faster northeastward motion is expected late in the weekend and that on the forecast track, the centre of Ernesto is expected to pass near or over Bermuda on Saturday.

“Maximum sustained winds remain near 100 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, and Ernesto is forecast to be a large hurricane near Bermuda on Saturday and maintain hurricane strength through the weekend.”

The NHC warned that a dangerous storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding on Bermuda in areas of onshore winds and that near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

Ernesto is expected to produce total rain accumulations of six to 12 inches in Bermuda with isolated maximum amounts up to 15 inches.

Swells generated by Ernesto are affecting portions of the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas and Bermuda, the NHC added. (CMC)