The Acting Minister of National Security has urged residents to take Hurricane Erin seriously, even though the system is not expected to make a direct hit on Bermuda.
Jaché Adams said the storm, downgraded overnight to Category 3, still posed a significant threat to the island.
“Too often when storms pass at a distance people believe there is no need to prepare. That attitude is dangerous,” he warned. “We must guard against complacency. I urge every resident to treat Erin as a serious test of your preparedness for the season ahead. Do not wait until a storm is upon our doorstep to take action.”
According to the Bermuda Weather Service, Erin was located about 677 miles southwest of the island in its 6 am Tuesday update. The hurricane was moving northwest at about 7mph with maximum sustained winds of 115mph and gusts near 128mph. The closest forecast point within 72 hours was projected to be 351 miles north-northwest of Bermuda by 5 am Friday.
Residents were reminded that forecasts are subject to change with each update.
Mr Adams said all storm preparations must be completed by Thursday morning and warned the public to avoid entering the water as “lives will be placed at risk.”
While government offices and the Causeway will remain open, the Orange Route ferry service to St George’s will be suspended from tomorrow, though other routes will continue as scheduled. Bus services will run on their regular weekday timetable. An emergency shelter at CedarBridge Academy will be deployed if necessary.
The island’s tourism sector has already felt the effects, with several cruise ship visits cancelled, including the Carnival Sunshine on Wednesday and Thursday, the Norwegian Aqua on Wednesday, and the Vision of the Seas over the weekend. However, the Bermuda Tourism Authority said no wider disruption to services was expected.
Flights remain unaffected, and LF Wade International Airport will stay open.
The Emergency Measures Organisation will meet on Wednesday to reassess the situation, though Mr Adams said it was ready to convene earlier if Erin’s track shifted.
“Rest assured, the government is prepared. The EMO agencies are prepared. I’m asking you, the public, to also be prepared,” he said. “If we take this opportunity seriously, Bermuda will be ready for this hurricane season.”
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that Erin was expected to pass between Bermuda and the US East Coast by midweek. It also issued warnings of tropical storm conditions for the Turks & Caicos and parts of the Bahamas, along with the risk of flash flooding and life-threatening surf and rip currents for Bermuda, the Bahamas, the US East Coast, and Atlantic Canada in the coming days.
