Premier Michael Dunkley this morning thanked the community for coming together ahead of Gonzalo and being so well prepared to weather the storm.

Mr Dunkley said he had been driving around the Island, including visiting the emergency shelter at CedarBridge, to check residents were ready.

“I’m pleased to see preparations people have made,” the Premier said during a broadcast on the Emergency Broadcast Station just after 10.30am.

“Bermuda is well prepared now, people are being as safe as they can.

“As I drove around I saw very few people that aren’t prepared.

“Have patience, today is going to be a long day. Hunker down, we will ride this through.

“Hunker down and do things you don’t normally do — pull those board games out the closet.”

Mr Dunkley said he hoped the Island would fare better than after Fabian in 2003 and that emergency teams were posted in the East End in case there was damage to the causeway, which was closed at 10.30am.

“Fabian did real damage on the causeway, hopefully this time we will be better off,” Mr Dunkley said. “Fabian was a real monster, we still have to see the worst of Gonzalo.

“Lamb Foggo is open, the Regiment is down there, the fire service, the police. Everyone is prepared to do what they have to.

“We’ve done everything we can to account for every eventuality.”

The Premier urged residents to “take a deep breath, we’ll get through this together” and thanked the emergency services for their efforts.

“I’m very proud to see the resolve of Bermudians throughout this,” Mr Dunkley said. “I’ve every confidence we’ll get back up to speed soon after this.”