Earlier this afternoon (Oct. 30), the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks, JP, MP, convened an Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) Executive meeting to assess the latest developments in advance of Hurricane Melissa.
As of the 3.00 p.m. forecast, the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) advised that Hurricane Melissa is expected to pass Bermuda as a Category 2 storm, with its closest point of approach 112 nm, 1.00 a.m. Friday morning.
The current forecast has Melissa delivering 50-65 knot winds with gusts to 80 knots on Thursday night. Bermuda will sustain hurricane force winds from 12 midnight until around 2:00 a.m.
Following today’s EMO meeting, the following decisions remain in effect.
- Causeway: The Causeway will close at 10:00 p.m. tonight. It will be assessed Friday morning and an announcement on its reopening will be shared with the public.
- South Shore Road at Watch Hill Park: This section will close at 9:00 p.m. tonight and remain closed until it is assessed following Melissa’s passage.
- The L.F. Wade International Airport will close at 6:00 p.m. today and reopen tomorrow at 12.00 noon. Passengers are encouraged to check with their respective airlines if they have planned travel.
- Schools: All public and private schools will be closed tomorrow (October 31).
- Government Offices: Offices will be closed until 1:00 p.m. on Friday.
- Buses: The last bus will be at 7.00 pm tonight and will resume on Friday following an assessment of the main roadways.
- Ferry Service for Thursday October 30:
- Orange Route - St Georges: cancelled.
- Blue Route - Dockyard: Suspended after 4:00 pm
- Green and Pink Routes – running as scheduled.
- Ferry Service for Friday October 31: All Routes cancelled until further notice. Service will resume when weather conditions improve.
- The Lamb/Foggo Clinic will be open at 9:00 p.m. this evening and will remain open until further notice.
- The Government Shelter at CedarBridge will open at 7:00 p.m. this evening.
- Trash Collection: Today’s collection will proceed as normal. Friday’s collection will be deferred to Saturday.
- The Emergency Broadcast Station, 100.1 FM will be operational this evening at 6.00 p.m.
- The EMO will meet again at 10.00 a.m. tomorrow morning to get the latest information on the storm. A public update on the resumption of services will be provided thereafter. Until the “All Clear” announcement is given by the EMO, the Ministry is urging the public to please stay off the roads so that Government work crews can do the necessary assessments and clean up.
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For the safety of workers as a special public safety note, the Ministry is also urging all private sector businesses to also adhere to the official announcement by the EMO of the “All Clear” and resumption of services.
Minister Weeks 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.”
Residents can find preparedness information, checklists, and safety guidance at www.gov.bm/are-you-ready-hurricane-season.
The EMO and the Government of Bermuda will continue to issue updates as the situation develops. The public can stay abreast of weather updates at www.weather.bm.