Bermuda Issues High Surf Warning as it Prepares for Hurricane Fiona
HAMILTON, Bermuda – The Bermuda government issued a high surf warning and urged residents to stay safe and off the roads on Thursday night ahead of powerful Hurricane Fiona, which is barreling towards the British Overseas Territory.
National Security Minister Michael WeeksNational Security Minister Michael Weeks told an afternoon press conference that the island is forecast to endure at least 12 hours of tropical-storm conditions as Fiona passes, beginning late on Thursday, along with five to six hours of winds exceeding 55 miles per hour early on Friday morning.
He said a number of people had been injured readying for the storm.
“The hospital is already seeing individuals coming into the emergency room with injuries due to storm preparation,” Weeks said.
“Please be careful when you trim trees and secure your homes, and during clean-up. Do not operate a chainsaw unless you have proper protective gear and are proficient in its safe use.”
As of 3 p.m. local time, Fiona was a Category 4 storm packing winds of 130 mph about 345 miles west-southwest of the island and moving north-northeast at 16 mph.
Bermuda Weather Service meteorologist Michelle Pitcher said Fiona was expected to weaken to a Category 3 storm before it reaches its closest point of approach about 116 miles to the island’s west-northwest at 5 a.m. on Friday.
Pitcher said the island should expect “strong wave and surge impact” with seas outside the reef forecast to reach 45 feet as Fiona passes.
The Royal Bermuda Regiment was embodied on Thursday afternoon in advance of the storm with 131 troops on duty after the order was given by Acting Governor Tom Oppenheim.
Major Duncan Simons, commander of the operation, said: “The regiment is tasked with providing immediate response teams, reassurance patrols, command and control elements, and reconnaissance capability in order to facilitate post-storm recovery. Our immediate task is to clear main roads to ensure the safe passage of emergency vehicles.”
The Royal Gazette, a morning newspaper that normally publishes six times a week, announced there would be no edition on Friday because of the storm. But it will provide round-the-clock coverage on its website.
Weeks said public schools will be closed on Friday with classes resuming on Monday.
The last bus was set to leave at 9 p.m. on Thursday while ferry service was halted at 4 p.m.
Weeks said the airport remained open, although some flights have had their schedules changed to account for the storm.
Fiona will be the third storm to hit Bermuda this season.
Hurricane Earl brushed past the island earlier this month while Tropical Storm Alex passed nearby in early June. Neither caused any serious damage.
