This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-29669226

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Hurricane Gonzalo pounds Bermuda with strong storms Hurricane Gonzalo blacks out most of Bermuda
(about 3 hours later)
Hurricane Gonzalo has hit Bermuda with winds of about 175km/h (110mph). Hurricane Gonzalo has roared through Bermuda, cutting power to most of its inhabitants and threatening floods.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned of high winds and a "life-threatening storm surge" the after the eye of the hurricane passed the British Atlantic territory. Emergency services are waiting for daybreak to assess the full damage wreaked by the second powerful storm to strike the island in less than a week.
Eighty per cent of the island chain has lost power because of the hurricane, Reuters quotes Bermuda Electric Light Company as saying. Strong winds and heavy surf continued after the eye of the hurricane moved north into the Atlantic, and tidal surges are still possible.
Bermuda, an affluent insurance hub, frequently sees strong tropical storms. Top wind speeds of about 175km/h (110mph) were reported.
"I wish everyone all the best for the next 24 hours. Good luck and look after each other," Governor George Ferguson said in an emergency broadcast ahead of Hurricane Gonzalo's arrival. Bermuda, an affluent British overseas territory in the western Atlantic, frequently sees strong tropical storms.
The Miami-based NHC said that although the category 2 storm had weakened from earlier wind speeds of 205km/h (125mph), it was still expected to be a dangerous hurricane as it passed over Bermuda. Just days ago, Tropical Storm Fay damaged homes and knocked down trees and power lines on the island.
Hurricane Gonzalo was labelled as a category 4 storm on Thursday and was moved down to category 3 and then 2 on Friday. "To be struck twice by two different cyclones is unusual, to say the least," said Max Mayfield, a former director of the US National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Resident Hartley Watlington told the BBC: "We were attacked from all three sides. I am staying in my sister's house. It is a traditional house so we have had to board all the windows up with wood and screws." One person died in the Dutch territory of St Maarten after Gonzalo passed over the Caribbean.
"The eye of the storm has gone overhead, we are now in the second phase and that's the worst part," said Ian McPherson, 36, another resident of Bermuda, who said that Gonzalo was his third hurricane. Wave threat
"It is pretty rough right now, I haven't got any electricity. You can hear the wind and the rain and see all the trees blowing. It is so loud I won't be sleeping tonight," he added. Terrified islanders sheltered in darkness from Gonzalo as power was cut to some 31,200 homes, accounting for most of the island's 64,900 residents, Bermuda's Royal Gazette said in a report.
A webcam at the Royal Naval Dockyard at the port showed heavy rain, large waves and trees being shaken vigorously from the strong winds. People reported destroyed porches and other damage while part of the roof at the main hospital was damaged and there was water damage in the new intensive care unit, police spokesman Dwayne Caines was quoted as saying by AP news agency.
Hurricane-force winds were predicted to pound Bermuda for several hours. Flooding and storm surges were being reported as fallen trees blocked roads over large areas, according to the Royal Gazette.
One person died in the Dutch territory of St Maarten after Hurricane Gonzalo passed over the Caribbean. "Water damage especially from the wave action will take the biggest toll," Mr Mayfield predicted.
The storm is being compared to the 2003 Hurricane Fabian which wreaked havoc on Bermuda, the most powerful storm to hit the territory in 50 years. With initial wind speeds of 205km/h, Gonzalo was labelled as a category 4 storm on Thursday but downgraded to category 3, then 2, on Friday.
The storm is being compared to Hurricane Fabian in 2003, the most powerful storm to hit the territory in 50 years.
The winds then reached the same speed as Hurricane Gonzalo, and caused damage of about $300m (£187.3m).The winds then reached the same speed as Hurricane Gonzalo, and caused damage of about $300m (£187.3m).
Are you in Bermuda? Are you affected by the hurricane? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Bermuda? Are you affected by the hurricane? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions.Read the terms and conditions.