Hurricane warning: closures and service suspensions announced
A hurricane warning was in effect this afternoon as Hurricane Melissa was deemed to pose a threat to Bermuda.
The Bermuda Weather Service said in its 3pm update that the storm’s closest point of approach to the island was expected to be at midnight tomorrow into Friday, when it is forecast to be 80 miles to the west-northwest.
Melissa is expected to be a Category 2 hurricane at 9pm on Thursday, weakening to a Category 1 by 3am on Friday.
Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, this afternoon outlined a series of steps that will be taken “out of an abundance of caution”.
He said that the Causeway will close at 10pm tomorrow and an assessment will be made at first light on Friday to determine whether it is safe to reopen.
All public schools will be closed on Friday.
While government offices will operate as normal tomorrow, they will be closed until 1pm on Friday, when services are expected to resume pending any further updates.
On public transportation, the last bus will run at 7pm tomorrow with services returning on Friday after an assessment of the main roads.
There will be no orange route ferry tomorrow, when the blue route will be suspended at 4pm but the green and pink routes will run as scheduled.
All routes will be cancelled on Friday until further notice as officials wait for winds to subside and allow assessments to be carried out.
The government shelter at CedarBridge will open at 6pm tomorrow.
At 3pm, Melissa was almost 1,010 miles southwest of Bermuda and travelling north-northeast at about 15mph.
The BWS said that conditions were expected to “rapidly deteriorate” late tomorrow and into Friday with hazardous surf and rip currents.
A forecast discussion added that on Thursday, winds are expected to increase in the evening and overnight with the potential for sustained hurricane force winds, mostly across the western marine area and more elevated or exposed areas.
It said: “Having said that, gusts could reach hurricane force quite widely, especially in any squally showers and isolated thunderstorms.
“Winds will veer from the southeast on Thursday into the southwest Thursday night.
“Friday morning sees strong to storm-force winds further veering west and soon easing, with any lingering showers exiting the area in concert with a cold front attached to exiting Melissa.
“By Hallowe’en evening, moderate to occasionally strong westerly winds can be expected.
“With the fast movement north-eastward of Melissa, this will send rapidly building hazardous seas towards the island Thursday evening/night, with south-southwest swells peaking in the high to likely very high category.”
Bulk fuel deliveries from Rubis Energy Bermuda Ltd will be suspended at 2pm tomorrow in preparation for Hurricane Melissa, the company said this morning.
It added: “This precautionary measure allows Rubis operations teams sufficient time to secure company assets while also ensuring employees have the opportunity to complete their personal storm preparations.
“Customers are encouraged to top up their vehicles ahead of this suspension to avoid any inconvenience.
“Deliveries will resume as soon as it is safe to do so, in accordance with guidance from the Emergency Measures Organisation.
“Priority will be given to essential services in the immediate aftermath of the storm’s passage.”
The US-based National Hurricane Centre said earlier: “On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move offshore of eastern Cuba this morning, move across the southeastern or central Bahamas later today, and pass near or to the west of Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night.
“Maximum sustained winds are now near 105mph with higher gusts. Melissa is expected to remain a powerful hurricane when it moves across the Bahamas later today and passes near Bermuda on Thursday night.
“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the centre and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles.”
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