Hurricane Gonzalo hit Bermuda, leaves 29,000 without power (VIDEO)
Hurricane Gonzalo hit Bermuda as a Category 2 storm on Friday knocking out 80 percent of the island's power and leaving thousands of people in the dark.
The storm struck Bermuda with maximum wind speeds of 115 mph (185 kph), reported Reuters. It knocked out power for the vast majority of people living on the island. In fact, 29,000 of the 36,000 metered customers do not have electricity.
From within the storm area, those behind the 'We Are Bermuda' Twitter account shared what they could see from their windows.
Inside the eye of the storm..so calm and foggy #Bermuda#HurricaneGonzalopic.twitter.com/8Oo2pMIcKh
— We Are Bermuda (@WeAreBermuda) October 18, 2014
There was also an interior shot from the deputy governor of
Bermuda, showing how the family is managing during the storm.
My parents, visiting from UK, undeterred by hurricane winds and lack of electricity. #Bermuda will recover quickly pic.twitter.com/oZuIQnu1y3
— Deputy Governor, Bda (@BDA_DG) October 18, 2014
One resident, Dueane Dill lost power.
Just lost power...but we have candles, flashlights, wine and rum. Oh and Kris and Zarai have cards...i dont do cards...or games...just rum
— Dueane Dill (@dill_ddill) October 17, 2014
An another, Ashaki A kept hers.
I don't wanna jinx myself about still having power
— Ashaki A. (@_asaxx) October 17, 2014
Hurricane-force winds are predicted to batter Bermuda for about
seven hours, and forecasters said a storm surge would cause a
significant flooding on the island, according to the Associated
Press.
"They're going to get hammered is the bottom line here,"
Max Mayfield, a former director of the US National Hurricane
Center in Miami, told AP.
Meanwhile, the Bermuda Weather Service said the seas outside the
reef were 30 feet (9 meters) high and still building.
Bermuda Governor George Fergusson tweeted that a colleague saw
someone driving on the road as the storm pummeled Bermuda.
Colleague saw someone drive past house 20 mins ago.Reckless in extreme.Please heed advice of Premier&EMO to stay indoors during storm's eye.
— George Fergusson (@GFergussonBDA) October 17, 2014
NASA time lapse video of Hurricane Gonzalo approaching Bermuda.
The island has a population of roughly 70,000 people, and has one
of the highest per-capita incomes in the world. The government
has strict building codes so homes can withstand winds of at
least 110 mph.
The storm is expected to pass quickly and slow down, according to
the Weather Channel, as it moves away from Bermuda on a track
that would take it past Newfoundland and across the Atlantic
towards Britain and Ireland. A tropical storm watch has been
issued for parts of southeastern Newfoundland.
The last major hurricane to strike Bermuda was Fabian in
September 2003. It was a Category 3 storm which killed three
police officers and another person, and left $100 million in
damages to homes and businesses, roofs, trees, and golf courses,
according to AP.
