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GalvestonDuck
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GalvestonDuck
- Category 5
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- Joined: Fri Oct 11, 2002 8:11 am
- Location: Galveston, oh Galveston (And yeah, it's a barrier island. Wanna make something of it?)
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Miss Mary
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Miss Mary
Bermuda article
Hi all, just found this article on ABC's website:
Fabian Gains Speed As It Nears Bermuda
Hurricane Fabian Picks Up Speed As It Nears Bermuda, Forecasters Say Storm Will Do Major Damage
The Associated Press
http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap ... 5_702.html
HAMILTON, Bermuda Sept. 5 —
Offices closed and islanders bolted up their homes on Friday as the most powerful hurricane to strike Bermuda in years thundered toward the British territory.
Fabian was picking up speed and expected to slam into Bermuda by late Friday afternoon. Waves were topping 10 feet and the Category 3 storm's lashing winds were maintaining 120 mph winds.
Several cruise ships left days earlier, and others were taking different routes to avoid the storm. Flights into Bermuda were canceled.
"There's no escaping," said Ian Currie of Bermuda's Weather Service.
Although it is one of the wealthiest island chains with hurricane-resistant homes and a sturdy infrastructure, Bermuda hasn't seen a Category 3 hurricane since 1963, when Arlene destroyed crops and homes.
The last powerful hurricane to hit the British mid-Atlantic islands was Hurricane Emily in 1987, a Category 1 storm that tore off roofs, left homes without power for weeks and caused more than $50 million in damages.
Forecasters said Fabian could knock some buildings off their foundations, damage crops and cause widespread flooding and erosion.
"It's a powerful hurricane and there's no indication it's going to fall apart," said Lixion Avila, a meteorologist at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Forecasters worried the storm could produce powerful tornadoes and winds could exceed 120 mph. Islands could lose power for days or weeks, said Gary Madeiros with the Bermuda Electric Light Company.
The government has opened up schools as evacuation shelters, and urged people to leave 2,000 homes in flood-vulnerable areas. Those living on the exposed South Shore were also urged to leave.
Bartender Tanya Bartel said she was taking Fabian seriously and had duct-taped the windows of her north shore apartment.
"It's going to be close, if not a direct hit," she said. "If you have enough beer, ice, candles and cards to get through the weekend, you should be OK. The big talk is, 'do people have enough beer?'"
At 11 a.m. Friday, Fabian's center was about 110 miles south of Bermuda.
Bermuda's Public Safety Minister Randy Horton warned residents on Bermuda's south shore to either vacate their homes or board up properties.
Bermuda's building codes specify that homes must be built with walls at least eight inches thick, and be able to withstand 150 mph gusts and sustained winds of 110 mph.
Fabian Gains Speed As It Nears Bermuda
Hurricane Fabian Picks Up Speed As It Nears Bermuda, Forecasters Say Storm Will Do Major Damage
The Associated Press
http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap ... 5_702.html
HAMILTON, Bermuda Sept. 5 —
Offices closed and islanders bolted up their homes on Friday as the most powerful hurricane to strike Bermuda in years thundered toward the British territory.
Fabian was picking up speed and expected to slam into Bermuda by late Friday afternoon. Waves were topping 10 feet and the Category 3 storm's lashing winds were maintaining 120 mph winds.
Several cruise ships left days earlier, and others were taking different routes to avoid the storm. Flights into Bermuda were canceled.
"There's no escaping," said Ian Currie of Bermuda's Weather Service.
Although it is one of the wealthiest island chains with hurricane-resistant homes and a sturdy infrastructure, Bermuda hasn't seen a Category 3 hurricane since 1963, when Arlene destroyed crops and homes.
The last powerful hurricane to hit the British mid-Atlantic islands was Hurricane Emily in 1987, a Category 1 storm that tore off roofs, left homes without power for weeks and caused more than $50 million in damages.
Forecasters said Fabian could knock some buildings off their foundations, damage crops and cause widespread flooding and erosion.
"It's a powerful hurricane and there's no indication it's going to fall apart," said Lixion Avila, a meteorologist at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Forecasters worried the storm could produce powerful tornadoes and winds could exceed 120 mph. Islands could lose power for days or weeks, said Gary Madeiros with the Bermuda Electric Light Company.
The government has opened up schools as evacuation shelters, and urged people to leave 2,000 homes in flood-vulnerable areas. Those living on the exposed South Shore were also urged to leave.
Bartender Tanya Bartel said she was taking Fabian seriously and had duct-taped the windows of her north shore apartment.
"It's going to be close, if not a direct hit," she said. "If you have enough beer, ice, candles and cards to get through the weekend, you should be OK. The big talk is, 'do people have enough beer?'"
At 11 a.m. Friday, Fabian's center was about 110 miles south of Bermuda.
Bermuda's Public Safety Minister Randy Horton warned residents on Bermuda's south shore to either vacate their homes or board up properties.
Bermuda's building codes specify that homes must be built with walls at least eight inches thick, and be able to withstand 150 mph gusts and sustained winds of 110 mph.
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GalvestonDuck
- Category 5
- Posts: 15941
- Age: 57
- Joined: Fri Oct 11, 2002 8:11 am
- Location: Galveston, oh Galveston (And yeah, it's a barrier island. Wanna make something of it?)
From http://www.theroyalgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage:
Bermuda braces for the big one
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By Matthew Taylor
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Hurricane Fabian could be the worst to ever hit the Island Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Randy Horton warned yesterday.
The eye of the hurricane is set to miss Bermuda by just 30 miles on Friday night but if it changed course and hit, Mr Horton said it would be worse than Emily which ripped up Bermuda and left large parts of the Island powerless for weeks in 1987.
Even if Fabian misses, people living close to the south shore have been warned to leave or board up their homes as the Island braces itself for 30-foot waves.
Earlier yesterday Fabian, a category three hurricane, had showed signs of decreasing in power as it headed north, only to pick up again.
Bermuda Weather Service predicted it would be a category three hurricane with winds of up to 154 mph by the time it passes Bermuda at 10 p.m. tomorrow.
A direct hit would do extreme damage according to classifications drawn up by the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) which met yesterday to discuss the crisis.
At midnight last night Fabian had maximum sustained winds of 110 knots with gusts of 135 knots.
At a press conference straight after the EMO meeting Mr. Horton said: "We have been informed that Hurricane Fabian is potentially the worst hurricane that we could ever have hit Bermuda. It could be potentially worse than Emily."
Bermuda Weather Service Director Roger Williams agreed saying, Emily had only been a category one hurricane.
He said: "We have to assume the worst case scenario. If it only changed direction very, very slightly it could come completely over the Island.
"If the storm strikes us directly by the afternoon or evening it could do substantial damage."
He said even if it passed by 60 miles to Bermuda's west it would still cause a substantial amount of damage to power lines.
"There will be substantial rainfall, probably five to seven inches of rain, there will be pounding surf along south shore, probably with 20 to 30 foot waves.
"If the storm impacts us directly we will have a surge of anything like three to six feet above normal tide levels.
"That will affect any areas, not just the south coast, even Hamilton harbour and all around the Great Sound. We need to take this very seriously.
"Potentially it could be an extremely damaging storm and one that outmatches Emily if it hits us directly."
He said the 30 foot waves outside the reef would cause coastal erosion and wash away beaches.
"Anybody down there on south shore who is fairly close to the water really should seriously consider vacating or at least seriously boarding up their properties."
Damage would be similar to that experienced when Gert hit in 1999 said Mr. Williams and he said the reef which ringed Bermuda didn't protect every area of the coast from the powerful rip tides.
He said a category four hurricane had not hit Bermuda since the early part of last century. Hurricane Arlene, a category three had hit in 1963, causing widespread damage to vegetation.
The EMO is set to meet again today at 1 p.m. to decide whether schools and public transport will be shut down.
Yesterday's EMO meeting had input from Police, the fire service, the Bermuda Regiment, Public Transport Board and the Department of Works and Engineering and Health and Family Services.
Mr. Horton said: "All agencies are prepared to deal with Hurricane Fabian should it continue on the path that it has."
He urged swimmers, surfers and sailboarders to keep out of the water during the storm as well as the build-up and aftermath to avoid risking their lives.
"We need to remember one death was recorded in 1999 and many injuries were treated at the emergency department of the hospital as a direct result of people taking to the water during hurricane conditions."
Government urged householders to bring in garden furniture and pets. Hurricane advice is available on Page 23 of the blue pages of the telephone directory said Mr. Horton.
He advised people living in flood areas to pick up an advice leaflet on dealing with hurricane floods from the Department of Communication and Information at Global House in Church Street.
Deputy Police Commissioner George Jackson urged mariners to get their boats secured early.
"We know in the past we have left things too late, but we have at least 72 hours warning this time," he said.
Bermuda braces for the big one
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Matthew Taylor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hurricane Fabian could be the worst to ever hit the Island Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Randy Horton warned yesterday.
The eye of the hurricane is set to miss Bermuda by just 30 miles on Friday night but if it changed course and hit, Mr Horton said it would be worse than Emily which ripped up Bermuda and left large parts of the Island powerless for weeks in 1987.
Even if Fabian misses, people living close to the south shore have been warned to leave or board up their homes as the Island braces itself for 30-foot waves.
Earlier yesterday Fabian, a category three hurricane, had showed signs of decreasing in power as it headed north, only to pick up again.
Bermuda Weather Service predicted it would be a category three hurricane with winds of up to 154 mph by the time it passes Bermuda at 10 p.m. tomorrow.
A direct hit would do extreme damage according to classifications drawn up by the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) which met yesterday to discuss the crisis.
At midnight last night Fabian had maximum sustained winds of 110 knots with gusts of 135 knots.
At a press conference straight after the EMO meeting Mr. Horton said: "We have been informed that Hurricane Fabian is potentially the worst hurricane that we could ever have hit Bermuda. It could be potentially worse than Emily."
Bermuda Weather Service Director Roger Williams agreed saying, Emily had only been a category one hurricane.
He said: "We have to assume the worst case scenario. If it only changed direction very, very slightly it could come completely over the Island.
"If the storm strikes us directly by the afternoon or evening it could do substantial damage."
He said even if it passed by 60 miles to Bermuda's west it would still cause a substantial amount of damage to power lines.
"There will be substantial rainfall, probably five to seven inches of rain, there will be pounding surf along south shore, probably with 20 to 30 foot waves.
"If the storm impacts us directly we will have a surge of anything like three to six feet above normal tide levels.
"That will affect any areas, not just the south coast, even Hamilton harbour and all around the Great Sound. We need to take this very seriously.
"Potentially it could be an extremely damaging storm and one that outmatches Emily if it hits us directly."
He said the 30 foot waves outside the reef would cause coastal erosion and wash away beaches.
"Anybody down there on south shore who is fairly close to the water really should seriously consider vacating or at least seriously boarding up their properties."
Damage would be similar to that experienced when Gert hit in 1999 said Mr. Williams and he said the reef which ringed Bermuda didn't protect every area of the coast from the powerful rip tides.
He said a category four hurricane had not hit Bermuda since the early part of last century. Hurricane Arlene, a category three had hit in 1963, causing widespread damage to vegetation.
The EMO is set to meet again today at 1 p.m. to decide whether schools and public transport will be shut down.
Yesterday's EMO meeting had input from Police, the fire service, the Bermuda Regiment, Public Transport Board and the Department of Works and Engineering and Health and Family Services.
Mr. Horton said: "All agencies are prepared to deal with Hurricane Fabian should it continue on the path that it has."
He urged swimmers, surfers and sailboarders to keep out of the water during the storm as well as the build-up and aftermath to avoid risking their lives.
"We need to remember one death was recorded in 1999 and many injuries were treated at the emergency department of the hospital as a direct result of people taking to the water during hurricane conditions."
Government urged householders to bring in garden furniture and pets. Hurricane advice is available on Page 23 of the blue pages of the telephone directory said Mr. Horton.
He advised people living in flood areas to pick up an advice leaflet on dealing with hurricane floods from the Department of Communication and Information at Global House in Church Street.
Deputy Police Commissioner George Jackson urged mariners to get their boats secured early.
"We know in the past we have left things too late, but we have at least 72 hours warning this time," he said.
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GalvestonDuck
- Category 5
- Posts: 15941
- Age: 57
- Joined: Fri Oct 11, 2002 8:11 am
- Location: Galveston, oh Galveston (And yeah, it's a barrier island. Wanna make something of it?)
And:
'It's like a madhouse in here'
Retailers report brisk trade in candles, water and batteries
Get ready Keith Desparo from Westspring Field, Massachussetts, is in Bermuda on his 23rd wedding anniversary with his wife Lisa, videotapes the building surf on South Shore. (Photo by Arthur Bean)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Karen Smith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bermuda was preparing itself for the worst last night as the mighty Hurricane Fabian continued to threaten the Island with battering winds and damaging storms.
Everyone from stores to hotels, public transport to Government, was making contingency plans should Fabian hit the Island as feared during the next 36 hours.
The Island could begin feeling the effects of the category four hurricane, which carries winds of up to 155mph and torrential rain, as early as late tomorrow morning and residents are being urged to act early and follow the usual steps.
Fabian is expected to bring the Island to a standstill for a number of hours as people baton down the hatches to fend off the worst hurricane ever thought to have threatened our shores.
At the very least, weather experts predicted last night that Bermuda was in for a rough tropical storm.
Yesterday, residents swamped supermarkets and hardware stores in a bid to stock up on flashlights, batteries, candles and water supplies, should power be cut off.
Hotels were making contingency plans to safeguard their properties and guests, while trying to accommodate those new arrivals unlikely to make it on time tomorrow and those unable to fly out as planned.
Bermuda International Airport will decide today when and if all flights should be cancelled, as will the Public Transportation Board and Government with regard to the buses and ferries.
And all cruise ships are expected to sail out of the Island today – a day earlier than planned for many – in a bid to stay ahead of the hurricane weather system.
President of Masters hardware store Susan Wilson said staff were battling to keep up with demand yesterday as customers came out in their droves for supplies.
"It's a madhouse," she said.
"There were people lined up outside the store half an hour before we opened this morning waiting to stock up on supplies.
"We are simply trying to meet demand at the moment, but we have had to replenish our stocks a number of times already today.
"But what we are trying to do is make sure we have sufficient for Saturday morning, when we hope to open again, for the people who have lost electricity. We hope we have enough until Saturday."
Mrs. Wilson said Masters always kept a minimum reserve of stocks specifically for hurricanes, however, she said demand had been such yesterday that it had already been "dipped into".
And high on people's shopping lists was propane gas cylinders, batteries, flashlights and candles.
But she said even if the electricity went off at the store on Saturday, she suspected some staff would still turn out for work to assist customers with emergency supplies.
"With (Hurricane) Emily we got caught in it and were here, and so, despite having no electricity, we helped people find what they needed in the dark – we just used flashlights to see our way around the store," she added.
"We will do that again if we have to."
A Government spokeswoman said a decision would be taken today as to when and if the ferries would be cancelled, but she said they would run for as along as possible.
And assistant director at PTB Daniel Moore said they were following weather reports and expected to make a decision on their services this afternoon.
"We will assess the situation Thursday morning and then make a decision in the afternoon. If the weather predictions continue as they are, and Fabian is set to hit late on Friday night, then we could close down the buses as early as Friday lunchtime. We have to ensure that our staff are able to get home safely.
"But, of course, that could change, so we are closely monitoring the situation and then we will have a better idea on Thursday afternoon to make an informed decision."
Five cruise ships are due to leave the Island earlier than scheduled today – and many of them a day ahead of schedule – as they attempt to make their return voyages in calm seas.
And the Seven Seas Navigator, which was due to arrive tomorrow into Hamilton and stay until Sunday, will now not arrive until Sunday, staying for one night.
Cargo ships the Somers Isle and Bermuda Islander are coming in as planned this morning, but will leave later today, rather than stay overnight.
Cable ship the Eric Sharpe, based in Dockyard, had not made a decision as to what it was going to do yesterday, and oil tanker Lucy PG, which was due to come in at the weekend, will now come in on Sunday or early next week.
Elbow Beach Hotel's crisis management team held a meeting yesterday and began to put into action its hurricane precautions, which involved bringing in outdoor furniture, checking drains, replenishing batteries and keeping guests fully informed.
General manager Frank Stocek said a couple of guests due to arrive on Friday from the US had already postponed their trip, and he said many of the 30 people due to fly out on Friday may face problems.
"From what I see so far, it looks like it's going to come pretty close. We will be fully staffed in the engineering and security areas on Friday, but in other areas the staff will be down a little bit," said the manager.
"We are putting on rainy day programmes for the guests, such as a movie, popcorn and cooking demonstrations."
Neal Stephens, manager of The Reefs hotel, said the beaches were being cleared of furniture yesterday in preparation for the increased sea surges, and he said Coconuts restaurant would be closed after lunch today and may not be open again until later on Saturday.
Today, staff will be taking down the tents on the terrace and removing the furniture and the club house at the front of the hotel will be boarded up tonight to protect it from strong winds and sea surge that are expected to hit.
He said: "So far, we have had three cancellations from people that were coming in on Thursday or Friday. We have 21 guests due to arrive on Friday and many of them are repeaters, so hopefully they will come in on Saturday.
"At the moment we are almost full – at 95 percent. If it hits during the day, then we will ask guests to come up to the main building, but if it's going to happen in the middle of the night, people can go back to their rooms.
"We are just going to wait and see what happens."
'It's like a madhouse in here'
Retailers report brisk trade in candles, water and batteries
Get ready Keith Desparo from Westspring Field, Massachussetts, is in Bermuda on his 23rd wedding anniversary with his wife Lisa, videotapes the building surf on South Shore. (Photo by Arthur Bean)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Karen Smith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bermuda was preparing itself for the worst last night as the mighty Hurricane Fabian continued to threaten the Island with battering winds and damaging storms.
Everyone from stores to hotels, public transport to Government, was making contingency plans should Fabian hit the Island as feared during the next 36 hours.
The Island could begin feeling the effects of the category four hurricane, which carries winds of up to 155mph and torrential rain, as early as late tomorrow morning and residents are being urged to act early and follow the usual steps.
Fabian is expected to bring the Island to a standstill for a number of hours as people baton down the hatches to fend off the worst hurricane ever thought to have threatened our shores.
At the very least, weather experts predicted last night that Bermuda was in for a rough tropical storm.
Yesterday, residents swamped supermarkets and hardware stores in a bid to stock up on flashlights, batteries, candles and water supplies, should power be cut off.
Hotels were making contingency plans to safeguard their properties and guests, while trying to accommodate those new arrivals unlikely to make it on time tomorrow and those unable to fly out as planned.
Bermuda International Airport will decide today when and if all flights should be cancelled, as will the Public Transportation Board and Government with regard to the buses and ferries.
And all cruise ships are expected to sail out of the Island today – a day earlier than planned for many – in a bid to stay ahead of the hurricane weather system.
President of Masters hardware store Susan Wilson said staff were battling to keep up with demand yesterday as customers came out in their droves for supplies.
"It's a madhouse," she said.
"There were people lined up outside the store half an hour before we opened this morning waiting to stock up on supplies.
"We are simply trying to meet demand at the moment, but we have had to replenish our stocks a number of times already today.
"But what we are trying to do is make sure we have sufficient for Saturday morning, when we hope to open again, for the people who have lost electricity. We hope we have enough until Saturday."
Mrs. Wilson said Masters always kept a minimum reserve of stocks specifically for hurricanes, however, she said demand had been such yesterday that it had already been "dipped into".
And high on people's shopping lists was propane gas cylinders, batteries, flashlights and candles.
But she said even if the electricity went off at the store on Saturday, she suspected some staff would still turn out for work to assist customers with emergency supplies.
"With (Hurricane) Emily we got caught in it and were here, and so, despite having no electricity, we helped people find what they needed in the dark – we just used flashlights to see our way around the store," she added.
"We will do that again if we have to."
A Government spokeswoman said a decision would be taken today as to when and if the ferries would be cancelled, but she said they would run for as along as possible.
And assistant director at PTB Daniel Moore said they were following weather reports and expected to make a decision on their services this afternoon.
"We will assess the situation Thursday morning and then make a decision in the afternoon. If the weather predictions continue as they are, and Fabian is set to hit late on Friday night, then we could close down the buses as early as Friday lunchtime. We have to ensure that our staff are able to get home safely.
"But, of course, that could change, so we are closely monitoring the situation and then we will have a better idea on Thursday afternoon to make an informed decision."
Five cruise ships are due to leave the Island earlier than scheduled today – and many of them a day ahead of schedule – as they attempt to make their return voyages in calm seas.
And the Seven Seas Navigator, which was due to arrive tomorrow into Hamilton and stay until Sunday, will now not arrive until Sunday, staying for one night.
Cargo ships the Somers Isle and Bermuda Islander are coming in as planned this morning, but will leave later today, rather than stay overnight.
Cable ship the Eric Sharpe, based in Dockyard, had not made a decision as to what it was going to do yesterday, and oil tanker Lucy PG, which was due to come in at the weekend, will now come in on Sunday or early next week.
Elbow Beach Hotel's crisis management team held a meeting yesterday and began to put into action its hurricane precautions, which involved bringing in outdoor furniture, checking drains, replenishing batteries and keeping guests fully informed.
General manager Frank Stocek said a couple of guests due to arrive on Friday from the US had already postponed their trip, and he said many of the 30 people due to fly out on Friday may face problems.
"From what I see so far, it looks like it's going to come pretty close. We will be fully staffed in the engineering and security areas on Friday, but in other areas the staff will be down a little bit," said the manager.
"We are putting on rainy day programmes for the guests, such as a movie, popcorn and cooking demonstrations."
Neal Stephens, manager of The Reefs hotel, said the beaches were being cleared of furniture yesterday in preparation for the increased sea surges, and he said Coconuts restaurant would be closed after lunch today and may not be open again until later on Saturday.
Today, staff will be taking down the tents on the terrace and removing the furniture and the club house at the front of the hotel will be boarded up tonight to protect it from strong winds and sea surge that are expected to hit.
He said: "So far, we have had three cancellations from people that were coming in on Thursday or Friday. We have 21 guests due to arrive on Friday and many of them are repeaters, so hopefully they will come in on Saturday.
"At the moment we are almost full – at 95 percent. If it hits during the day, then we will ask guests to come up to the main building, but if it's going to happen in the middle of the night, people can go back to their rooms.
"We are just going to wait and see what happens."
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charleston_hugo_veteran
- S2K Supporter
- Posts: 1590
- Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2003 12:47 pm
- Location: Charleston, S.C.
