Hurricane Lee now a potential threat to Bermuda
Hurricane Lee is now a potential threat to the island, the Bermuda Weather Service is reporting.
The Emergency Measures Organisation executive met yesterday morning to assess the impact on Bermuda from the storm, which will be tracking towards our general area this week.
Lee is expected to to pass by the west of the island on Friday morning.
According to the Bermuda Weather Service’s 6pm advisory yesterday, Hurricane Lee is 602 miles south of Bermuda, moving west-northwest at 7mph.
At present, it is a Category 3 hurricane with maximum winds of 115mph, gusting to 138mph.
The closest point of approach to Bermuda in the next 72 hours is expected to be 200 miles to the west-southwest at 6pm on Thursday.
The EMO said that while exact wind timings remain uncertain, members of the community should prepare for a range of weather-related effects from Thursday through Friday.
It said this may include sustained tropical storm-force winds at 58mph accompanied by gusts ranging between 75mph and 81mph, hazardous surf conditions, swells, rip currents, turbulent seas, heavy showers and thunderstorms.
Hurricane Lee led to a string of cruise ship cancellations, starting with the Vision of the Seas set to moor for one day at King’s Wharf in Dockyard today.
The Disney Fantasy and Carnival Magic, with top passenger capacities of 4,000 and 4,724, respectively, called off their visits to Dockyard today.
A Hamilton call for Thursday by the Seven Seas Mariner was also cancelled.
The island’s loss of passengers as a result potentially added up to 12,000.
The Insignia, scheduled to call on St George’s and Hamilton arriving on Friday and leaving next Monday, had not made a decision by last night.
However, as of the latest forecast, Friday was predicted to coincide with a close call as Lee headed north from a course passing to the west of Bermuda.
Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Acting Minister of National Security, said: "We urge the public to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to prepare their homes and properties.
"Residents should have used this past weekend to prepare and secure their homes.
“If you have not done so, then now is the time to complete those preparations so that you are ready for Hurricane Lee.”
The Department of Parks has issued a special advisory for beachgoers, and lifeguards at Horseshoe Bay Beach have raised the red flag, indicating a "high hazard" owing to rough conditions, including powerful surf and dangerous rip currents.
A ministry spokesman said: “Swimmers are discouraged from entering the water at Horseshoe Bay, especially in the western half, where swimming is prohibited due to the heavy presence of dangerous rip currents.
“Beachgoers should exercise extreme caution if they enter the water on the eastern half of the beach.”
Additionally, teams from the roadways crew and the Department of Parks are cutting back dangerous trees and foliage.
The spokesman added: “The EMO will reconvene on Wednesday to make more substantive decisions once the forecast becomes more definitive. It is still too early to say whether Lee will affect public services.
“In the meantime, we strongly encourage residents and visitors to stay informed and use this time to prepare their homes and businesses as safely as possible.”
A latest BWS advisory reported that Hurricane Lee is forecast to pass close to Bermuda as a Category 2 storm — nearer to the island than original estimates placed it but less powerful.
Bermuda Weather Service updates are available on www.weather.bm.
The Ministry of National Security and the EMO will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
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