Hurricanes and tropical storms have played a major part in the history of Bermuda, from the shipwreck of the Sea Venture to the devastating impact of Hurricane Fabian.Havana-Bermuda Hurricane: October 1926The most devastating storm ever recorded on the Island, the Havana-Bermuda Hurricane struck the Island as a Category Four.It sunk two British naval vessels off Bermuda, killing 88 sailors and officers aboard the Valerian.However the storm’s impact on Cuba was even greater, killing an estimated 650 people.Hurricane Emily: September 1987A Category One hurricane, Emily made a major impact when it rushed over the Island, in part because the storm was expected to miss Bermuda.The system built up rapidly and, after a long spell free of hurricanes, many residents were caught unprepared.Gusts on the Island reached 125mph, destroying homes and vehicles, causing an estimated $35 million in damagesNo-one was killed in the storm however more than 100 people sought treatment at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for broken bones.Hurricane Felix: August 1995Felix was expected to pass within 14 miles of Bermuda but suddenly veered away, saving the Island from a direct impact.Despite that, Bermuda felt hurricane-strength winds for more than eight hours, and a long-awaited Independence referendum had to be postponed.The storm cut the power to around 18,000 homes and caused an estimated $2.5 million in damages.Hurricane Karen: October 2001Although Karen didn’t become a hurricane until she was already moving away from the Island, the system caught Bermuda by surprise, rapidly building from a low-pressure disturbance to a tropical storm on our doorstep.Winds reached 74mph, near-hurricane status, destroying vegetation and downing power lines, leaving more than two-thirds of the Island without power.Hurricane Fabian: September 2003The most devastating hurricane to strike the Island in decades, Hurricane Fabian hit Bermuda as a Category Three storm with gusts as high as 143mph.The hurricane killed four people who were washed overseas after being trapped on the collapsing Causeway.Around 25,000 of the Island’s 32,000 homes lost power and the cost of damages exceeded $300 million.Hurricane Igor: September 2010Igor was predicted to be a monster storm — a 500-nautical-mile-wide Category Three — the system collapsed before landing.The hurricane was reduced to a Category One storm by the time it neared the Island, and did not come as close as anticipated. However the storm still caused flooding in Somerset and St George’s and tore several boats from their moorings, including Government tender Bermudian.Around 80 percent of Belco customers, 28,700 homes and businesses, lost power. Electricity was restored to all but 5,600 homes the next day.