The Category 2 storm will pass directly over the island at 1am Thursday
Hurricane Imelda – a category 2 storm – is approaching the island with increasing intensity.
The Ministry of National Security confirms that all emergency protocols have been activated, and the island is bracing for what’s expected to be a long night of dangerous weather.
What you need to know:
- The Causeway is closed until a full safety inspection can be completed after the storm.
- All public transport services, including buses and ferries, have been suspended.
- The airport remains closed, with all flights grounded.
- Government offices shut down at 1 p.m. today and will remain closed tomorrow, pending assessments.
- The emergency shelter at CedarBridge Academy is open for those in need of safe refuge. It is currently providing shelter to 53 individuals
- The Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre is open for medical emergencies.
- The Royal Bermuda Regiment has deployed 100 personnel across the island.
- All schools will remain closed Thursday.
- Beaches are off limits with lifeguard services suspended and a high surf warning in effect.
- The public is strongly urged to stay off the roads. Only emergency and essential vehicles should be moving about.
No major incidents have been reported as per the latest update from the National Disaster Coordinator, Noel Martin.
441 BELCO customers are currently without power in pockets around the island with customers in Hamilton Parish and Warwick being most impacted.
BELCO crews stood down for the night at 10pm and will resume restoration efforts tomorrow as as soon as it is safe to do so.
As of 11 p.m., winds had picked up significantly, with hurricane conditions expected to persist until just before dawn. If the eye of the hurricane passes over parts of the Island, we will also experience a brief lull in the winds.
Meantime seas outside the reef are expected to reach up to 30’ as Imelda passes.
At first light, work crews and members of the Regiment are expected to begin damage assessments and cleanup across the island.
For official updates, tune in to the Emergency Broadcast Station at 100.1 FM or stream live via gov.bm.
