3am update: Melissa has passed the island
Residents were urged this afternoon to take all necessary precautions as the Emergency Measures Organisation says all response agencies are “fully mobilised” for Hurricane Melissa.
The Bermuda Weather Service in its latest update said Melissa was expected to pass the island about 140 miles to the northwest at 2am tomorrow at its closest point.
The system is expected to be a Category 2 hurricane at that time.
In its midnight update, the BWS said that Melissa had maximum sustained winds near 98mph with gusts up to 120mph.
The storm was about 161 miles west of Bermuda, moving northeast at about 38mph.
The US-based National Hurricane Centre said the storm was expected to pick up speed, but not strengthen as the night progresses.
The NHC said: “Maximum sustained winds are near 105mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is likely through evening. However, Melissa is expected to weaken later tonight and Friday and become a post-tropical low by Friday night.
“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the centre and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 255 miles.
“Automated stations on Bermuda have been reporting wind gusts near 40mph during the past hour.”
Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin early this evening with hurricane conditions tonight.
The hurricane is also forecast to bring the island one to two inches of rain overnight.
Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, said: “As Hurricane Melissa approaches our shores, I want to assure the people of Bermuda that the EMO agencies are fully mobilised and prepared to respond to any eventuality.
“Our member agencies, essential services and community partners have ensured that every precaution has been taken to safeguard lives and property.
“Bermudians have always demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, and I have every confidence that we will do so again.
“Please check on our seniors and our vulnerable, and above all, please follow official guidance as the situation unfolds.
“Please stay safe.”
The Ministry of National Security urged all private-sector businesses to adhere to the official announcement by the EMO of the “all clear” and resumption of services.
The EMO will meet again at 10am tomorrow to assess the storm, with a public update on the resumption of services to be provided thereafter.
Until the all-clear announcement is given by the EMO, the ministry urged the public to remain off the roads so that government work crews can carry out necessary assessments and begin clean-up.
The BWS said in its latest forecast discussion that a hurricane warning remains in effect for Bermuda.
A tropical update showed Melissa gradually weakening as it accelerates north of the island tomorrow.
The BWS added: “Conditions are expected to rapidly deteriorate this evening and tonight as Melissa passes to the west, likely bringing a few showers and thunderstorms, gale-force to near hurricane-force winds with higher gusts especially in squally showers and along exposed and elevated areas of the island.
“Light southeast to south-southeast winds increased to moderate just after midday then moderate to strong late afternoon.
“Winds are then expected to increase to gale-force with gusts to storm-force, then further strengthening for a short time to storm-force with gusts to hurricane-force then easing late tonight to become gale-force to storm-force with higher gusts.”
LF Wade International Airport closed at 6pm and is expected to reopen tomorrow, pending a noon assessment.
A government spokeswoman added: “The public will be advised accordingly of the airport’s reopening and travellers are encouraged to check with their respective airlines regarding any planned travel.”
• Causeway: the Causeway is closed and will be assessed in the morning, after which an announcement about its reopening will be made
• Schools: all public and private schools are closed
• Government offices: closed until 1pm
• Buses: service will resume on Friday after an assessment of main roads
• Ferry service tomorrow: all routes cancelled until further notice. Service will resume when weather conditions improves
• The Lamb Foggo Clinic: opened at 9pm on Thursday and will remain open until further notice
• Government shelter at CedarBridge: opened at 7pm on Thursday
• Trash collection: collections usually made on Friday will be postponed to Saturday
• Emergency broadcast station, 100.1FM: will be operational this evening
The City of Hamilton urged businesses and residents to finalise storm preparations and provided information about changes to services.
It asked that trash be placed out only at designated collection times:
• All city businesses must place their garbage out by 5pm today. No garbage should be set out after that
• There will be no residential garbage collection on Friday. The next residential garbage pick-up will take place on Saturday
• Business and restaurant collections in the city are expected to resume on Friday afternoon, once conditions are deemed safe
• All waste should be placed securely inside bins, not loose bags, to prevent debris from blowing around
• Bins should be secured during storm conditions and brought in from the sidewalk
For city operations, residents and businesses were advised:
• Offices at City Hall and the works depot on Laffan Street will be closed on Friday morning but will reopen at 1pm, in alignment with government operations
• City parks, car parks and public bathrooms will remain open until conditions require closure
The City asked all businesses and residents to secure outdoor items, including wheelie bins, signs, planters and loose furniture, which could become projectiles in strong winds
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