The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released its report on Hurricane Nicole, which passed over the island last October.

While the hurricane weakened before reaching Bermuda, saving the island from the worst the storm had to offer, it still reportedly caused around $15 million in insured losses.

The report stated: “Nicole caused widespread damage on Bermuda. However, media accounts suggest that the damage was not severe, likely because of the short duration of strong winds and the well-constructed infrastructure on the island.

“The cyclone snapped trees, toppled power lines, peeled off roofs and flooded homes and businesses.

“In addition, large waves damaged and broke boats from their moorings and also contributed to road damage around the island.

“The Bermuda Business Development Agency estimates total insured losses of $15 million, which matches preliminary qualitative accounts from the Bermuda Meteorological Service suggesting that the damage was less severe than that from Hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo of 2014.”

Hurricane Nicole had reached Category 4 strength at around midnight on October 12, hours before reaching the island, but the report stated then began to weaken rapidly due to a sharp increase in wind shear and “abundant dry air”.

“Nicole’s northwestern eye-wall passed over Bermuda on the morning of October 13, generally producing Category 1 hurricane conditions across the island; isolated areas observed sustained winds of Category 2 strength,” the NOAA report stated.

The timing of the storm’s landfall also reduced its impact, with the system’s storm surge coinciding with low tide.