The Government’s Emergency Measures Organisation announced that the Causeway would be close at 6pm Wednesday
Works & Engineering machinery finishes laying concrete slabs to block access to the Causeway. Photo: Government of Bermuda
The Causeway has officially closed ahead of ‘dangerous’ cat 2 Hurricane Imelda this evening.
As part of safety plans announced by the Emergency Measures Organisation today, the Causeway – linking St. George’s parish to the mainland, would be closed to all traffic at 6pm Wednesday.
The island is expected to be impacted by tropical storm force winds as early as 9pm as Hurricane Imelda tracks to be within 25 nautical miles tonight.
The island is currently in ‘safety mode’, according to the EMO’s latest update.
They stated, “Tropical storm-force winds are already affecting the island, with hurricane-force winds expected later this evening (9:00 pm and 10:00 pm), lasting into the early hours of Thursday.”
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.
Forecasters at the Bermuda Weather Service describe Imelda as a ‘dangerous category 2 hurricane’.
Minister of National Security Michael Weeks said, “We are a resilient people. Bermuda has weathered many storms, and we will weather this one too.
“Let our strength be in our unity, our safety in our preparation, and our hope in the calm that always follows the storm.”
The emergency broadcast radio station can be found at 100.1FM and keep abreast of the latest weather updates at weather.bm.
The Causeway will remain closed until assessments are carried out following the passage of the storm.
The EMO Operations Centre number at 444-1447 is active.
The Causeway, St. George’s parish. Photos: Qian Dickinson
