This has undoubtedly been an incredibly busy hurricane season.
With back to back storms last week, I can truly appreciate that our residents are feeling hurricane weary. But now is not the time to become complacent.
Our island has a rich history of resilience in the face of natural challenges. And I expect that we will rise to the challenge in facing any potential threats related to Hurricane Lee.
As of the noonday forecast Hurricane Lee is just south east of us near the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, and has the potential to make its way towards our general area. I can assure the public that the Emergency Measures Organisation, and the Ministry of National Security are taking this storm very seriously. The EMO will be meeting on Monday to make the necessary preparations concerning Hurricane Lee and will issue updates as they become available.
The Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) has been closely monitoring its path, and based on their forecasts, we anticipate that Hurricane Lee will be making its approach near Bermuda sometime
next week. Hurricane Lee is not to be taken lightly. It is a large and dangerous category 5 hurricane.
Here are the latest updates regarding Hurricane Lee:
The closest point of approach within the next 72 hours is expected to be on Monday, September 11th, at 12 p.m. when the hurricane is expected to be located around 575 nautical miles to our south.
Lee was moving west North West at 11 knots with maximum winds of 135 knots with gusts of up tom165 knots.
We will be in a better place to advise about public services including transportation, the airport and
the Causeway next week as the forecast becomes clearer.
This storm serves as a stark reminder that we are now in the most intense stage of the hurricane season, when Bermuda typically sees an increase in storms headed our way. Hurricane Lee is the 12thnamed storm of the 2023 Hurricane Season, and it is the third storm this season to affect Bermuda.
Again, I want to reassure the public that the EMO is taking this storm very seriously and places the public’s safety as its highest priority. Now, I want to emphasise a critical point: While you may be accustomed to receiving weather
information from various sources, whether it be online, from social media, on radio and television… the Bermuda Weather Service is the official weather authority for our island.
The EMO will always make decisions based on their forecasts. It is imperative that the public be guided by the BWS forecasts and advisories, which can be found on weather.bm. Let me reiterate the unpredictability of storms is inherent to their nature. As we have witnessed over the years, their paths can change, intensities can fluctuate, and the
impact on our island can be uncertain.
This is precisely why we must not be complacent and must remain vigilant and prepared.
Therefore, I urge you to take Hurricane Lee seriously. Be proactive in your preparations. Use this weekend to get ready. Replenish your stocks, make sure
you have the necessary provisions and ensure your storm kits are up to date.
Make sure your homes are secured, and your families have a clear plan in case Lee has a serious impact on Bermuda.
Please also, if necessary, trim back your trees on your property, especially those
that obstruct motorists and pedestrians. We want to ensure that such vegetation does not hinder restoration efforts should a storm seriously impact our island.
I urge the community to come together before the arrival of any storm to help one another prepare, and for neighbours across the island to check on each other, especially those who are vulnerable and
who are in need of help. We should keep in mind that overhanging branches or trees on your neighbour’s property could easily take down a powerline connected to your home.
Stay informed through weather advisories from the BWS and updates from the EMO. Our strength as a community lies in our ability to come together in times of adversity. Let us
remember the lessons from past storms and act responsibly. Let us look out for one another and support those who may need assistance, especially our vulnerable and our seniors.
As I close, let me stress that we will continue to monitor Hurricane Lee closely and provide you with
updates as the situation evolves.
Again, our priority is the safety and well-being of every resident of Bermuda. Together, we can weather this storm and emerge stronger on the other side.
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