Bermuda has once again “escaped the wrath of another hurricane”, national security minister Michael Weeks said after the island’s brush with Hurricane Melissa knocked out power for nearly 20,000 properties.

The National Museum of Bermuda in the West End recorded a gust just below 100mph at the storm’s height — but the worst of the hurricane passed more than 100 miles to the west of the island.

By morning, Belco crews were working to restore power to five substations and dealing with toppled poles.

As of 5pm, almost 7,500 customers were in the dark. It had fallen to 5,150 by 8pm.

Mr Weeks, who set the all-clear at noon, said that the island had come through comparatively unscathed after the “devastation” left in Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas by the fifth hurricane of the season and the strongest storm worldwide of 2025.

Melissa’s impact was watched anxiously by the island’s Jamaican community, as the Jamaican Association partnered with BermudAir and others to organise a delivery of aid. Disaster relief was organised by the Government along with the Bermuda Red Cross.

Noel Martin, the national disaster co-ordinator, said no major emergencies were reported — though debris, downed wires and pole fires were seen throughout the island.

The Emergency Measures Organisation met in the morning and deemed the Causeway fit to open. Roads were clear for traffic as of noon, when the airport also resumed service. Government offices reopened at 1pm.

Schools — closed until Monday — and care homes were the top priority as electricity was restored.

Mr Weeks offered his “deepest gratitude to the people of Bermuda for your strength, patience and unity during this anxious time”.

He added: “Recovery is a collective effort. Bermuda has weathered many storms, and time and again, we have proven that our spirit is unshakeable.”

Mr Weeks also urged residents to limit Hallowe’en activities for children this evening as Belco crews worked to restore power across the island.

He noted that “we want the safety our young children to be our utmost priority”.

Mr Weeks added: “It would be really concerning if any of our young ones would be traversing neighbourhoods with debris still on the ground.

“So ideally I am asking and saying it would be prudent to limit the Hallowe’en activities for our children this evening.

“It’s ultimately up to the parents or guardians but if we can defer the trick or treating until tomorrow that would be an ease for my peace of mind as the minister responsible for public safety.”

The police and fire service reported no major emergencies.

The hurricane warning was called off by the Bermuda Weather Service shortly before dawn after Hurricane Melissa’s closest point of approach as a dwindling Category 2 storm 130 miles northwest of the island at 1am.

Michelle Pitcher, of the BWS, said that the island was spared once again, after Bermuda took a direct hit from a rapidly weakening Hurricane Imelda at the start of October.

She told The Royal Gazette: “The strongest winds remained tightly wrapped around Melissa's centre, though our shores were certainly battered once again by the high seas.

“From our point of view, the forecast for Melissa, with collaboration from the US National Hurricane Centre, verified quite well.”

The strongest winds reached the island between midnight and 2am.

Ms Pitcher said tide gauges indicated up to a foot of sea surge at the height of Melissa's passage. There was little rainfall recorded.

Sensors at LF Wade International Airport recorded maximum sustained winds of 60mph, with gusts up to 80mph and minimum pressure of 995.9 millibar.

Melissa was a post-tropical cyclone far to the island’s north-northeast as of noon. No other systems were reported by the US National Hurricane Centre — although the Atlantic hurricane season technically lasts until November 30.