The sentiment of many Bermuda residents today, as Hurricane Fiona headed further north after battering the Island with winds in excess of 100 mph, was that the harm could have been much worse.
International media indicated that if the centre of the storm had come just 50 miles closer to the Island damage might closer to the likes of that incurred by islands to the south may have been incurred.
Nevertheless, there was significant debilitating impact imparted, with boats breaking their moorings some sinking and/or otherwise damaged Belco poles breaking and transformers bursting, foliage being ravaged and strewn about, among other items of scarring and destruction.
While forecasters had depicted the west end as being in line for receiving the brunt of Fiona’s impact, St George’s appeared to have been greatly affected in areas, with a large section of their power supply out and likely needing extended time for restoration due to downed lines.
ABC’s senior meteorologist Rob Marciano, reporting on the station’s Good Morning America programme, told the world Bermuda having been pounded all night with high winds and ocean waves 30 feet tall.
Stationed alongside Hamilton Harbour, Marciano pointed out rough interior waters and several water-craft that had been unmoored or sunk by unrelenting winds.
“It’s just crazy here,” said Mr Marciano.
The weatherman related Bermuda to the predominant severe weather areas of the United States, including parts of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska, which make up ‘Tornado Alley’, saying, “We’ve got ‘Tornado Alley’ in the States. Here in the Atlantic, Bermuda is in ‘Hurricane Alley’.
At the time or the ABC report it was said that 70 percent of the Island had lost power, however electricity was rapidly being restored in many areas by Belco crews as the winds began to abate, although the utility asked for patience among its customer base, particularly from those living in areas where poles had come down and transformers compromised.
“Where poles have fallen and where transformers need to be replaced, it’s likely going to take us a little longer to restore power,” said one member of a Belco crew. “People will have to be a bit more patient in these places, but we would expect everyone and the whole Island to be back online within the next few days.
Meanwhile, workers from Works and Engineering, along with members of the Bermuda Regiment were/are out in force clearing transport lanes, with the intention of, initially ensuring at least single lane accessibility for emergency vehicles, before making way for the normal passage of all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
On the positive side of matters was the fact that there has been no reported loss of life related to the hurricane.
An NBC reporter, having been apprised of Bermuda’s stringent building codes by National Security Minister Michael Weeks a day previous highlighted how such well served the country during moments of Mother Nature demonstrating raw, destructive power as seen in the recent hours.
Yet, it was also emphasised how Bermuda had indeed “Dodged a bullet”, by the eye of the storm passing a ways off, leaving Bermuda to experience just the outer bands, whereby the inner bands were known to be staked with tornadoes with the potential for more severe damage, as was previously seen when Hurricane Paulette burst ashore two years ago, tearing off a multitude of roofs, created widespread power outages and caused an estimated $50 million in damages to the country.
TNN is currently awaiting an update report from the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO). Stay tuned to TNN.
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