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Hurricane Gonzalo bears down on Bermuda days after tropical storm Hurricane Gonzalo bears down on Bermuda
(35 minutes later)
People on the small British territory of Bermuda rushed to batten down for Hurricane Gonzalo, which was roaring towards them as a major Category 4 storm just days after a tropical storm damaged homes and knocked down trees and power lines.People on the small British territory of Bermuda rushed to batten down for Hurricane Gonzalo, which was roaring towards them as a major Category 4 storm just days after a tropical storm damaged homes and knocked down trees and power lines.
Dennis Feltgen, a meteorologist at the US National Hurricane Center in Miami, said it was too early to tell whether the hurricane would hit Bermuda on Friday, but he warned residents to be prepared for severe weather.Dennis Feltgen, a meteorologist at the US National Hurricane Center in Miami, said it was too early to tell whether the hurricane would hit Bermuda on Friday, but he warned residents to be prepared for severe weather.
“The eye of the hurricane does not have to go over Bermuda for them to experience severe conditions,” he said in a phone interview on Wednesday.“The eye of the hurricane does not have to go over Bermuda for them to experience severe conditions,” he said in a phone interview on Wednesday.
Gonzalo had top sustained winds of 140mph (220kph) early on Thursday and it was centered about 540 miles (865km) south-south-west of Bermuda. It was moving north at 9mph, the hurricane centre said.Gonzalo had top sustained winds of 140mph (220kph) early on Thursday and it was centered about 540 miles (865km) south-south-west of Bermuda. It was moving north at 9mph, the hurricane centre said.
A hurricane warning was in effect for Bermuda, and forecasters said a dangerous storm surge accompanied by destructive waves could cause significant flooding on the island, which is about one-third the size of Washington, DC. Some 3-6in (8-15cm) of rain was predicted.A hurricane warning was in effect for Bermuda, and forecasters said a dangerous storm surge accompanied by destructive waves could cause significant flooding on the island, which is about one-third the size of Washington, DC. Some 3-6in (8-15cm) of rain was predicted.
The government said it would close the island’s international airport on Thursday night, when tropical storm conditions were first expected. Several airlines increased the number of flights departing Bermuda ahead of the storm.The government said it would close the island’s international airport on Thursday night, when tropical storm conditions were first expected. Several airlines increased the number of flights departing Bermuda ahead of the storm.
Bermuda’s residents were already coping with the aftermath of Sunday’s Tropical Storm Fay.Bermuda’s residents were already coping with the aftermath of Sunday’s Tropical Storm Fay.
More than 1,000 homes remained without power and homeowners worked to repair damaged roofs. The government called out 200 soldiers of the Bermuda Regiment to help with cleanup efforts on the island of roughly 70,000 people.More than 1,000 homes remained without power and homeowners worked to repair damaged roofs. The government called out 200 soldiers of the Bermuda Regiment to help with cleanup efforts on the island of roughly 70,000 people.
Max Atherden, a resident in Riddell’s Bay where power had not come back on since Sunday, said Gonzalo would not make much difference for him. “I’m still without power, and soon everyone else will be, too,” he said.Max Atherden, a resident in Riddell’s Bay where power had not come back on since Sunday, said Gonzalo would not make much difference for him. “I’m still without power, and soon everyone else will be, too,” he said.
People stripped the island’s hardware stores of generators, batteries, candles and other items and picked up free tarpaulin distributed by the government. Supermarkets and gas stations braced for more crowds on Thursday.People stripped the island’s hardware stores of generators, batteries, candles and other items and picked up free tarpaulin distributed by the government. Supermarkets and gas stations braced for more crowds on Thursday.
“After the scare at the weekend, people are paying attention this time,” said Harry Moniz, a store employee. “We’ve already sold out of generators and are stocking the shelves as fast as items are flying out of the store.”“After the scare at the weekend, people are paying attention this time,” said Harry Moniz, a store employee. “We’ve already sold out of generators and are stocking the shelves as fast as items are flying out of the store.”
Bermuda, which is 850 miles east of the US state of South Carolina, has one of the highest per-capita incomes in the world and its strict building codes make structures particularly capable of withstanding storms.Bermuda, which is 850 miles east of the US state of South Carolina, has one of the highest per-capita incomes in the world and its strict building codes make structures particularly capable of withstanding storms.
Gonzalo swept by the eastern Caribbean earlier this week, claiming at least one life in the Dutch territory of St Maarten. Two people were missing, one in French St Martin and the other in St Barts. Large ocean swells continued to affect parts of the Virgin Islands, the northern coasts of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and parts of the Bahamas.Gonzalo swept by the eastern Caribbean earlier this week, claiming at least one life in the Dutch territory of St Maarten. Two people were missing, one in French St Martin and the other in St Barts. Large ocean swells continued to affect parts of the Virgin Islands, the northern coasts of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and parts of the Bahamas.