Bermuda experienced increasingly strong winds and intermittent showers as ‘dangerous category 2’ Hurricane Imelda rolled towards Bermuda this afternoon.
Observers were out around John Smith’s Bay at 4pm to observe the high surf. However, Government have advised the community to be off the roads, and the road next to John Smith’s Bay was closed just before 6pm.
The Causeway also closed at 6pm.
Government has warned that no one should attempt to swim or enter the water, and lifeguard services have been suspended.
As of 5:50pm, BELCO reports 1,241 customers without power.
The Bermuda Weather Service advises that conditions are expected to quickly deteriorate tonight as hurricane force winds and gusts arrive along with rain, heavier showers, and a risk of thunderstorms.
Elevated and exposed areas can expect the strongest winds which are expected to reach as much as 90 knots with gusts to 110 knots near the closest point of approach – 1am Thursday as of the latest forecast.
“Imelda is a dangerous category 2 hurricane”, the BWS’ Michelle Pitcher advises, “and we can expect hurricane conditions to continue until near dawn tomorrow.”
The Emergency Broadcast Station is online at 100.1 FM, and the latest weather information is available at weather.bm.
