On July 31, 1609 a hurricane sunk a relief fleet for England's Virginia Colony at Jamestown - save the flagship, the Sea Venture. The Admiral of the fleet, Sir George Somers claimed the Island for the Crown and vowed to return.

On September 17, 1953 Hurricane Edna came just 50 miles from Bermuda, packing 120 mph winds. Below is a comprehensive list of hurricanes that have been a menace to the Island over the years.

1899

September 12/13 - One of the most violent storms to ever hit the Island - and a direct hit - demolishes the Causeway and causes severe damage around the whole of Bermuda.

1900

September 17 - Near miss. Winds reach Hurricane Force. No severe land damage.

1903

September 28 - Hurricane brushes by to the east. Hurricane force winds for a short duration, but "a great amount of damage".

1906

September 9 - Near miss. Severe gale just reaching hurricane force for a short while.

1910

September 25 - Hurricane brushes by but little damage.

1914

October 27 - Storm loses identity near Bermuda - Gales, but little damage.

1915

September - Hurricane brings heavy rain and 82 mph winds.

1916

September 23 - Hurricane brings 84 mph winds - severe damage.

1917

September 4 - Storm with unprecedented tides.

1918

September 4/5 - Hurricane hits. Substantial flooding.

1921

September 15 Hurricane almost direct hit - 120 mph gusts.

1922

September 21 Hurricane direct hit - winds to 120 mph and eight foot storm surge - widespread damage to vegetation especially.

1923

September 30 Storm passes to NW - winds up to 62 mph.

1926

October 22 Major Hurricane - direct hit - 114 mph much damage.

1932

November 12 Storm passes 100 miles to east - gusts to 91 mph.

1939

October 16 Major Hurricane passes 50 miles east - winds up to 100 mph with gusts to 131 mph. Heavy rain.

1947

October 20 Hurricane passes 40 miles to northwest - winds to 100 mph.

1948

September 13 Hurricane passes 50 miles to west - 80-100 mph winds - telephones and power cut.

October 7 Direct hit - 110 mph.

1953

September 5 Hurricane Carol passes 200 miles west giving Bermuda 50-60 mph winds.

1953

September 12 Tropical Storm Dolly passes over but only brings rain and gales.

September 17 Hurricane Edna passes within 50 miles with 120 mph winds, torrential rain and much damage to roofs - but only three people were injured.

1958

September 28 Ilsa passes by 230 miles off - only 30 mph winds but heavy pounding surf.

1961

October 6/7 Hurricane Frances veers away from the Island - little wind but heavy pounding surf.

1962

October 6 Hurricane Daisy misses Bermuda by 120 miles - winds up to 66 mph and heavy surf.

1963

August 9 Arlene is a direct hit - winds to 90 mph - much damage to vegetation.

1966

August 31 The fringe of Hurricane Faith brings heavy rain and winds to 58 mph.

1973

July Minimal Hurricane Alice passed by at 25 miles - some wind but heavy rain.

1975

September 26 Faye approaches to 40 miles and then veers away - only strong winds and heavy rain.

1977

September 27 Dorothy passes 60 miles south east - heavy rain.

1981

September 7 Emily passes over as a Tropical Storm - but only produced 35 mph winds.

1987

September 24 Emily moves unexpectedly swiftly across Bermuda . Small, but vicious and spawning several tornadoes, she caused widespread chaos and damage.

1989

August 4 Tropical Storm Dean passes by at 23 miles with 90 mph winds.

1991

October 27-29 Erratic Grace forms almost over the Island - moves away and then returns to skirt 58 miles to the south on the 27th - gave massive seas.

1995

August 14 Felix passes by at 50 miles with maximum winds at 75 mph - three days of pounding surf badly erodes South Shore.

1996

October 20 Lily brushes by 140 miles to the south east - some rain but winds only gust to 42 knots.

1997

October 8/9 After a very quiet period in the Atlantic, powerful Hurricane Erika, tracking north east, passes to the south east of Bermuda by over 300 miles - large ocean swells but little wind or weather affect the Island.

1998

September Hurricane Danielle passed approximately 200 miles northwest of Bermuda on the night of September . Rain and thundershowers, and winds gusting to 46 mph were the only effects.

1998

September 21-22 Hurricane Karl formed just east of Bermuda on the 23rd. On the night of the 22 the disturbance that became Karl passed across Bermuda. Winds gusted as high as 44 mph, and heavy showers and thundershowers were reported.

November 6, Hurricane Mitch, classified as `The Deadliest Atlantic Hurricane since 1780', did most of its damage far from Bermuda. However, the remnants of Mitch passed north of Bermuda on the morning of the 6th, giving Bermuda showers and blowing spray, and 48 mph winds with gusts up to 69 mph.

1999

September 21 Hurricane Gert passed about 120 miles east of Bermuda on the 21st. Sustained winds of 35-40 mph with gusts to 70-75 mph occurred for a while as Gert moved past. Even higher winds were recorded at Harbour Radio. In the days before Gert moved past, heavy pounding surf and high seas damaged South and East Coast Beaches.

2000

September 16 Hurricane Florence missed Bermuda by around 60 miles. Only Tropical Storm force winds (max 38 knots with gusts to 50 knots) were recorded at the Airport. Harbour Radio recorded 43 knot gusts 56 knots). However, winds may have been somewhat stronger at the West End, closer to the storm centre.

2001

September 9 Erin brushed by 90 nautical miles to the east of Bermuda on the evening of the 9th September. At that time Erin was a major Hurricane with estimated core winds up to 105 kn. Fortunately, only tropical storm force winds affected the Island, with little structural damage, no injuries or loss of life reported. There was some coastal erosion, due to large battering waves.

October 11 Sub-Tropical Storm One upgrade to Tropical Storm Karen and later Hurricane Karen, passes close to the West End with near to minimal Hurricane force winds. The main element of the storm was surprise as it quickly evolved from an ordinary frontal low pressure disturbance, 250 nm to our southeast, on October 10. There was considerable damage to vegetation, trees and power lines, with around 22,000 of the 30,000 power subscribers without electricity by the morning of the 12th. All schools and government offices, and many private concerns remained closed that day. There was also disruption to the marine community, including the two cruise ships that were in port. Numerous boats broke free from their moorings. Since the storm evolved rapidly, wave induced coastal erosion and damage to marine structures was quite minor.

October 7 TS Michelle threatened the Island but fizzled on the approach. Surface winds barely reached Tropical Storm Force (34 knots) The Cable and Wireless tower anemometer (275 ft ASL) recorded a short period in the evening with sustained winds around 53 knots and gusts to 58 knots. Little damage was reported.

2002

September 30 Hurricane Kyle spends 22 days meandering slowly west over the central Atlantic (the third longest lived Atlantic tropical cyclone on record). Kyle's closest approach to Bermuda was around 100 nautical miles to the south, on September 30, with little effect on the Island.

2003

September 5 Hurricane Fabian packs 120 mph winds, causing massive damage and resulting in the possible deaths of at least four people