Weather Channel star praises Island for ‘a great fire drill’
Bermuda got “a hurricane party without a hurricane”, according to international storm chaser and Weather Channel celebrity Jim Cantore — but the Island scored high marks for “a great fire drill”.This weekend marked the US meteorologist’s fourth visit to the Island in a 20-year career of about 80 hurricanes.“For Igor in 2010 you weren’t as well-prepared as you are this time,” Mr Cantore told The Royal Gazette. “Even with a system that’s a non-event, you guys are taking this seriously. After all, you have no place to evacuate.”Bermuda footage featured this weekend on Weather Centre Live as the crew set up base at Elbow Beach, and Mr Cantore extolled Bermuda on the popular channel.“My hat’s off to Bermuda for the way you guys conduct yourselves. You’re prepared, your homes are built to withstand your natural disasters, and you have good communication from the top down.”Mr Cantore warned locals looking forward to the end of the hurricane season that plenty more lies ahead.“It’s still early enough,” he said. “The water’s still warm, and as long as it’s warm, you’ll see it generate tropical cyclones.”September is the most active month, in a season that runs from June 1 to November 30.l Useful website: www.weather.com.