A fast moving powerful storm took Bermuda by surprise early yesterday -- bringing near storm force winds that caused difficulties across the Island.

The front swooped over before dawn, coming from the south east and moving very quickly to the north west -- cutting power, causing accidents and leaving debris in its wake.

And in the most serious incident, three people were rescued from a yacht which ran aground and partially sank in St. George's Harbour.

The low pressure front passed over between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., bringing winds of between 40 and 60 knots -- knocking out electricity and whipping up seas causing boats to break free.

And although the winds died down quickly, the calm was short-lived as stormy conditions returned -- forcing the cancellation of the annual Santa Claus parade in Hamilton.

Around 3,000 homes lost power in the early morning when six main circuits were knocked out.

Later that morning, nine repair crews restored electricity to all but a handful of homes, but as winds picked up again in the afternoon, more calls started coming in.

The worst affected area was Devonshire but power cuts hit across the Island.

Harbour Radio reported several boats had broken their moorings and in the most serious incident three people were rescued after their vessel ended up on the rocks, partially sunk, in the East End.

The three were all taken off the Allegro at around 5.45 a.m., after the 35 ft sailing yacht broke free from its moorings and ran aground at Smith's Island.

The pilot vessel St. George's and Marine Police boat Heron I attended the incident. No one was hurt. The Allegro was holed and had sunk, with the rocks keeping it above the waterline. The owners were due to assess the damage and decide what action to take yesterday.

On Saturday morning the cargo vessel Paleisgracht diverted to Bermuda after its load had shifted.

The vessel, enroute from Tenerife to Baltimore, came into Dockyard after the paper rolls it was carrying moved in the hold. The ship was due to be unloaded and re-loaded when the seas calm down.

Elsewhere, scooters were blown over and vegetation was scattered by the strong winds.

Firefighters were called to a sinking Boston Whaler in St. George's harbour on Saturday morning. And yesterday a crew from Hamilton attended to a front door blown in by the winds. The door, on North Street, Pembroke, was covered up.

STORM TOLL 3,000 homes blacked out Trio in dramatic sea rescue Hamilton parade cancelled