EMO On Hurricane Leslie, Schools, Causeway
The forecast track of Hurricane Leslie indicates that we can expect “almost a direct hit” and we may experience hurricane force winds for up to two days, said a statement from the Emergency Measures Organisation.
The Causeway will remain open until sustained winds exceed 50 knots, and while public schools were scheduled to return on Friday [Sept 7] the Ministry of Education has decided to keep schools closed for the day.
The Emergency Measures Organisation convened today, and issued a statement in reference to Hurricane Leslie.
The statement said: “The Bermuda Weather Service has advised that the latest forecast track for Hurricane Leslie brings it within 20 to 40 miles of the island early Sunday morning as potentially a Category 2 hurricane with wind speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour.
“Leslie’s closest point of approach to Bermuda within 72 hours (3 days) is forecast to be 146 nautical miles to the South at 6 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012. However, the forecast track beyond 72 hours indicates that we can expect almost a direct hit.
“The Bermuda Weather Service has advised that Leslie could be a historic storm for Bermuda as it is very large and forecast to intensify rapidly as it approaches. The Island could experience hurricane force winds for a sustained period of time, possibly up to two days. There will also be tropical storm force winds in advance and following the passage of Leslie by the Island.
Final storm preparations should be completed by the evening of Friday, September 7th at the latest.
“The Causeway will remain open until sustained winds exceed 50 knots. A decision will be made when to close the Causeway in the coming days and notice will be sent in advance of the closure. Residents should also be aware that the Causeway may remain closed for an extended period of time due to the expected duration of hurricane force winds.
“While public schools were scheduled to return on Friday, September 7, the Ministry of Education has decided to keep schools closed for the day. However, teachers and principals should report to their schools on Friday in order to prepare for the storm. A decision will be made on when schools will open following passage of the storm.”
The full statement follows below:
Emergency Measures Organisation Urges Public to Prepare for Hurricane Leslie
The Hon. Wayne Perinchief J.P., M.P., Minister of National Security today convened a meeting of the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) to prepare for Hurricane Leslie which is forecast to impact Bermuda by the weekend.
The Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) has advised that the latest forecast track for Hurricane Leslie brings it within 20 to 40 miles of the island early Sunday morning as potentially a Category 2 hurricane with wind speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour.
Leslie’s closest point of approach to Bermuda within 72 hours (3 days) is forecast to be 146 nautical miles to the South at 6 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012. However, the forecast track beyond 72 hours indicates that we can expect almost a direct hit.
Minister Perinchief said: “I urge all Bermuda residents to prepare for the worst. The EMO met this afternoon and I am happy to report that plans are in place and all services are ready for the impact of Leslie. Residents can find all the information they need to prepare on the EMO website at www.emo.gov.bm”
The Minister also advised that the public should only rely on official Government information on the storm. This information will be distributed to all local media through the Department of Communication and Information and will be updated on the EMO website.
Minister Perinchief also said residents should check on seniors and the vulnerable to ensure they are safe and secure, and to exercise good judgment throughout and after the storm by not putting themselves or others at risk. “Residents should heed all warnings and advisories issued by the EMO – which includes staying out of the ocean and staying indoors once the storm starts to impact the Island,” said the Minister
The Bermuda Weather Service has advised that Leslie could be a historic storm for Bermuda as it is very large and forecast to intensify rapidly as it approaches. The Island could experience hurricane force winds for a sustained period of time, possibly up to two days. There will also be tropical storm force winds in advance and following the passage of Leslie by the Island.
Final storm preparations should be completed by the evening of Friday, September 7th at the latest.
The Causeway will remain open until sustained winds exceed 50 knots. A decision will be made when to close the Causeway in the coming days and notice will be sent in advance of the closure. Residents should also be aware that the Causeway may remain closed for an extended period of time due to the expected duration of hurricane force winds.
An emergency shelter will be opened at Cedarbridge Academy and a notice will be sent advising when the shelter will open their doors to the public.
While public schools were scheduled to return on Friday, September 7, the Ministry of Education has decided to keep schools closed for the day. However, teachers and principals should report to their schools on Friday in order to prepare for the storm. A decision will be made on when schools will open following passage of the storm.
The Department of Tourism has an established Disaster Management Plan for periods of emergency. The key role of the Department is to assist in relocating and sheltering visitors if needed. The Department is currently in Phase I of the Plan (Hurricane Watch) which includes liaising with the Bermuda Hotel Association to determine the occupancy level of licensed hotel properties and making preliminary assessments of which properties may be affected, as well as the needs of visitors.
The Department of Airport Operations (DAO) is currently liaising with airlines to ascertain when the airport will close and which flights may be cancelled. Those booked to travel on Friday, Saturday and Sunday are urged to check for updates. DAO has also advised residents who may have cars parked in any areas of the LF Wade International Airport to remove them before the storm hits as this area is prone to flooding.
Residents are advised to check their emergency kits to be sure supplies are adequate. A typical emergency kit would include items such as flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, non–perishable foods, an ample water supply and disposable utensils. An updated Disaster Advisory Plan is posted on the Government Portal on the Ministry of Health website.
For those needing treatment for any health issues, the Urgent Care Centre in St. David’s will be open, as will King Edward Memorial Hospital.
Residents in low lying areas prone to flooding should take the necessary precautions as it is likely the storm surge coupled with the long duration of the storm will coincide with high tides, leading to flooding.
Those residents with boats should make certain that their vessels are properly secured to prevent damage. It is also recommended that residents tie down any loose outdoor furniture or potted plants to prevent undue damage.
The public are encouraged to tune in to regular news reports and updates regarding Tropical Storm Leslie particularly as it relates to possible changes in ferry and bus schedules.
For more information on Hurricane Leslie, residents can tune in to or log on to the following:
Hurricane preparedness: www.emo.gov.bm <http://www.emo.gov.bm/>
Online weather updates: www.weather.bm <http://www.weather.bm/>
Televised weather updates: CableVision Ch. 4 and WOW Ch. 100
For The Public Forecast: Dial 977
For The Current Observation: Dial 9771
For The Marine Forecast Dial: 9772
For Latest Warnings & Tropical Information: Dial 9773
Government’s Emergency Broadcast station is on 100.1 FM.
Hurricane season officially began June 1, and concludes on November 30, 2010.
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- All Public Schools To Be Closed On Friday | Bernews.com | September 5, 2012
I CERTAINLY PRAY FOR OF BERMUDA’S SAFETY
Sorry for being a bit confused but the tracks indicate most likely eye passage to the east yet wind direction forcasts have the wind direction east veering southeast & around to the southwest, as if the eye is passing to the west of the island.
What is going on?
Hurricanes Spin anti-clockwise
Thats right & the surface winds blow into the center in a spiraling direction therefore if the center passes to the east winds will be from the westerly quadrants.
counter clockwise
@pepper can you people just for once keep politics out of everything. Why don’t you just take a few moments to pray for the safety of our Beloved Island and our people.
If only that anti PLP bloggers hadn’t expressed their opinions on this and other sites, perhaps the storm might not be heading this way. Mr Wayne Furbert, I feel your pain sir.
The hurricane is plp’s fault!
Bermuda College should close too
please explain bernews y the bws says the closest point in the next 72 hours….earlier this week alot of people was saying the storm was coming on thursday 12 noon…..i always look at the nhc website and it was showing sunday….and there was a lot of bermudian saying thursday…..i think the bws need to stop saying the closest point in the next 72 hours as it gets some bermudians confused…..then you might get one poor sole who thinks the storm has passed and didnt use that time to get prepared
Maybe they can only track that far in advanced. Maybe giving too much information might create too much anxiety in the community, or they might not want to give incorrect info (being cautious) and then hear from the greater community saying “they don’t know what they are doing.
It might just be proto-call
If we would exercise a bit of patience we will be at peace.
To all you bloggers who don’t have anything positive to write give it a rest especially Pepper. Just pray for the Island and safety of our people, this don’t have anything to do with government it’s nature . Prayer is needed for all now and forever more.
I agree and thank you very much.
Gosh-we can’t even have a hurricane without the political bickering???
How about saying our prayers that we come through this safetly? We’re talking about infrastructure? You’re assuming that we all survive this-never assume. We are at the mercy of Mother Nature-anything can happen and we’re still bickering about the PLP this and that…it’s ridiculous! How about getting on your knees and praying that God spares our lives and leave all the rest of the ugliness for when we forget that we should be grateful to be alive…because you know the gratefulness will quickly wear off once the storm passes-just as with ALL the storms of life, we’re quick to stop being so grateful once the storm clouds pass, innit?
There is more hot air being generated on island & being blown around than Leslie is producing.
Yes the comments about the lack of a new causeway 9 years after Fabian are valid however at this point people should be more concerned about getting good information about the storm.
Third party I heards, he said, she said, even official 2nd hand sources are unreliable & tend to whip people into a frenzy. Been into a hardware store or supermarket in the past few days?
Madhouses.
For ‘horses mouth’ info use nothing but the Naional Hurricane Center website. That is where all the others who produce the pretty graphics get theirs.
Political bickering is not needed right now. For the next few days we ALL need to join together as HUMAN BEINGS to make it out safely and help those who need it after the storm passes. Not the Govt., the expats, not the lazy guy down the road and not the rich man up on the hill is to blame for Leslie…its mother nature. God bless us ALL and keep us safe.
considering we are experiencing our portion of a global problem I wonder how they would have prevented it. Pray tell the whole world wants to know. Come on… the English, Germans,Greeks,Italians and Americans to nane a few are waiting.
WHEN IS THE 1st DAY OF SCHOOL?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? i miss it. #PrefectLife
How long wil it take to get another temporary bridge if the one that we have now is washed away ? Paula said that the P.L.P. have spent money on the infrastructure of the Island !!!!!! welll what will happen if this bridge is wiped out by the impending hurricane ? and also the roads are in a mess , the buses are always breaking dowwn,…and the ferry service is in a turmoil…and the trash pick is another matter !!! so much for the infrastructure and the money that was allocated for this….it is not adding up madam Premier , you can fool some of the people some of the time… but we right thinking Bermudians are not fools…….
oh shutup we’re talking about a hurricane here. Go rant somewhere else.
BE SAFE BERMUDA!
*Slaps Forehead* I’ll say it again! Are you listening Triangle Drifter / Pepper? GIVE IT A FLIPPIN BREAK FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! People are sick of hearing your rants. Lets hope we can band together at least for the coming weeks to ensure this Island is not blown off the map!
just wondering ….If the Premier was a Gibbons or a Dunkley would your rant be the same???
While you raise a good point about the bridge since I’m hearing the hurricane is reaching category 3 strength-the hurricane is literally a few days away from impact. They cannot replace the bridge in that short amount of time so please find something more productive to do. No one cares about your political opinion/agenda/ranting right now.
Tired of your negative remarks if you don’t have anything good to sy don’t say it at all. Be mindful of the raft that will come back on you.
Pepper please take a break. We are all tired of you.
Pepper go inhale some pepper!!!
Gibbons and Dunkley, would not have let Bermuda be in the state that it it is now.
your right I would not be a home owner and the playing field would be further from being level