If there was any doubt that Hurricane Fabian cruelly ripped summer away from Bermudians prematurely it has been removed by the shortage of one hot weather essential - ice cream.

Bermudians are pining for the favourite locally produced ice creams and sherbets since Fabian gorged himself on their stocks on September 5.

Bermuda Creamery, the island's largest producer of ice cream and sherbets and a major importer of icy treats from overseas, felt the storm's destructive hunger when its roof was completely ripped away destroying over $200,000 worth of stock.

"We actually lost our entire roof which resulted in losing our entire inventories to wind and rain," manager Roddy Ferguson told The Royal Gazette. The company's Hermitage Road, Devonshire facility was nearly gutted. "We also lost all our packaging and raw materials and there was some damage to our equipment," Mr. Ferguson said.

As a result, the company will not be able to offer its Creamery, Freeza Fresh or Simmons products for another six to eight weeks to the disappointment of those craving the products.

Mr. Ferguson said the Creamery is in the process of having the roof rebuilt and has been able to bring its freezers up to sufficient condition to import overseas brands of ice cream.

"But it will be more than a few weeks before we are able to produce again," he said.

The company has been able to keep all its staff employed, working through the clean-up however, and was fully covered by insurance for its damages.

"It's been difficult," Mr. Ferguson said. "It was quite a mess, but everyone has been real co-operative."

And customers, while disappointed, have been supportive.

"We had a lot of calls," he said. "People have been calling and telling us about their preferences for local ice cream and how they miss it."

Fabian's timing - falling at the end of summer - could have been better but could have been worse.

"We've lost the peak," said Mr. Ferguson. "It would have been worse if it had happened in early July because ice cream is really seasonal.

"But September and even October tend to be really good months. We start to see the drop off normally when the schools go back."

Those hankering for a cone, milkshake or sundae for the next two months or so will have to make do with overseas brands till the Creamery is fully back in action.

"We managed to put a temporary roof over our freezers and had them cleaned out so we've been able to import for the most part to meet people's needs," Mr. Ferguson said.