Bermuda successfully battles through Ernesto
Government services will return to normal today after a huge clean-up operation after Hurricane Ernesto pummelled the island over the weekend.
In an update yesterday, Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, said that Bermuda had made it through the storm without any injuries or major incidents.
He thanked the public for respecting the storm’s severity, as well as those who offered assistance, which helped Bermuda to recover quickly.
“We successfully weathered this storm through our preparation, resilience and unified efforts,” said Mr Weeks.
“By working hand-in-hand, arm in arm, we minimised the damage to our island, our community and each other.”
Yesterday, Belco crews were out alongside staff from the department of parks and works and engineering, who worked with the Royal Bermuda Regiment to clear debris.
At its peak, 28,817 Belco customers — about 75 per cent of the total number — lost power. However, by 7.45am today, only 5,702 were still without electricity.
The Causeway closed at 9pm on Friday but reopened yesterday at 8.45am and LF Wade International Airport, which closed at 8pm on Friday, reopened yesterday at noon with some flights landing in the afternoon.
Mr Weeks urged travellers who were grounded over the weekend to check with their respective airlines for updates on their flights.
A section of South Road between Watch Hill Park and John Smith’s Bay, which was closed on Friday, was reopened yesterday afternoon.
The bus service was expected to resume as normal this morning, while ferry services will resume at noon and cruise ships are expected to resume calls.
Beaches will also open as usual and lifeguard services are due to resume this morning, although swimmers and boaters were advised to remain cautious as seas were still rough.
The government emergency shelter at CedarBridge Academy, which opened its doors to the homeless and vulnerable on Friday at 6pm, closed yesterday morning.
Mr Weeks said that there was “considerable work” being done on Orange Valley Road in Devonshire and advised motorists to avoid the area until further notice.
In the West End, a broken utility pole opposite Bay Lane in Somerset forced westbound traffic to divert from Somerset Road on to Sound View Road.
The Rubis petrol station on Boaz Island also suffered wind damage, with much of the top part of the awning above the petrol dispensers being ripped off.
Elsewhere, damage was minimal. Some trees were downed, boats broke moorings and debris was scattered across roads.
Meals on Wheels, a food delivery service for those with at-home care, suffered flooding that damaged its generator and postponed deliveries until further notice.
Cambridge Beaches Resort in Sandys made it through Hurricane Ernesto with minimal damage, save for a flooded unoccupied room.
Ann-Tene McPherson, the front office manager, said that water was blown in through the window from heavy winds, leading to a soaked carpet.
But she added the hotel opened back up for business yesterday, with 18 reservations being filled that day, and was now “operating as normal”.
It had about 12 rooms occupied, though about half of the plans reservations were cancelled or rebooked over the storm.
The skeleton staff at the hotel, which included housekeepers and a chef, also remained safe.
The hotel maintained power throughout the storm, and visitors and staff kept busy with electronics and game provided by the hotel
Ms McPherson said: “They had a great experience, really. We took really good care of them and they had no complaints.”
Pompano Beach Club, located in Southampton, hosted a team from NBC Miami who took up residence to report live from the eye of the storm.
Larry Lambe, the owner of the hotel, admitted: “I think they were a little underwhelmed because they were kind of excited about a Category 2 hurricane.”
The club maintained power by using back-up generators when the area lost power around 8.45pm on Friday before Belco teams restored power around 10.30pm on Saturday.
Mr Lambe said that the latter half of Ernesto proved harder on the resort than the first half, but that ultimately there was no damage or downed trees.
He added that the club saw about 90 guests – around half of how many they had anticipated – during stays that still felt “kind of normal”.
Mr Lambe said: “Luckily or cable was still working, but we lost our internet, so that was a little bit of a pain in the neck.
“People just milled around and probably watched more TV then they’d probably planned for their Bermuda vacation.”
The Premier thanked everyone who worked to keep Bermuda safe over the weekend.
David Burt added: “Bermuda has once again demonstrated its resilience in the face of Hurricane Ernesto.
“All of those who are in our communities restoring services, you have the country’s thanks.
“Bermuda comes together in times of crisis — let us continue to support each other as we recover.”
Belco said its efforts were slowed by utility pole fires, which hampered power restoration.
Power will be restored in a specific order, the company said, and customers without electricity were asked not to call unless it was an emergency.
Wayne Caines, Belco’s president, said last night: “Our crisis management team was stood up prior to the storm’s arrival to co-ordinate preparations and is now focused on restoration efforts.
“Safety is always our top priority and I urge residents to allow our crews to carry out their work unimpeded and to keep clear of any damaged Belco infrastructure.
“Our crews will continue working until every customer has had their power restored.
“On behalf of all our staff and the people of Bermuda, I thank our hard-working crews for their tireless work and dedication to getting Bermuda back up and running as quickly and safely as possible.”
About 125 Royal Bermuda Regiment personnel were mobilised on Friday to help clean-up operations.
Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan Simons, the Commanding Officer, said: “It’s good to be out in public meeting a need, I think that’s valued.
“It’s not such a severe storm that we’re going to be out for days, helping in neighbourhoods — the scale of assistance is not going to be as prolonged — but we do appreciate the community support.”
Ernesto was a direct hit on Bermuda at about 5.30am on Saturday.
The Bermuda Weather Service said that specific data, such as highest wind speeds and rainfall, would be available in the coming days.
According to the National Hurricane Centre, Ernesto is forecast to remain well off the US East Coast. However it warned that swells generated by the hurricane were likely to affect the area during the early part of this week.
The NHC said Ernesto could also bring wind, rain and wave impacts to parts of southeastern Newfoundland tonight and tomorrow. It added that breaking waves could cause coastal flooding.
According to the UK’s Sky News, the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto are set to batter parts of the UK, bringing heavy rain and up to 60mph winds.
The City of Hamilton gave an update yesterday which said it had “successfully completed critical assessments around the city in the aftermath of the storm”.
It said its teams were “fully mobilised” and that the City was “committed to having the city fully operational” by the end of yesterday.
The statement said crews were out yesterday removing debris, repairing damage and ensuring public safety.
Work yesterday included restoring street lights at Spurling Hill and clearing storm drains.
The City said people needing help should contact Allan Somer, Operations Manager for the Corporation of Hamilton at asomner@cityhall.bm or 501-6783.
Hurricane Ernesto was the fifth named storm of the 2024 hurricane season, following Hurricanes Beryl and Debby and Tropical Storms Alberto and Chris.
Forecasters at Colorado State University warned that Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record, which battered the Caribbean recently, was a “likely harbinger” of a hyperactive season fuelled by warmer-than-average waters.
The CSU originally predicted 23 named storms for the 2024, which started on June 1, including 11 hurricanes, five of which were expected to reach at least Category 3 strength.
However, in a revised forecast released by the CSU, it predicted 25 named storms, including 12 hurricanes, half of which would become major hurricanes.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the modern average of about 14 named storms, including seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
The National Hurricane Centre forecast an 85 per cent chance of a busier-than-average season with between 17 and 25 named storms, while Britain’s Met Office forecast 22 named storms during the season.
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