National Security Minister Urges Caution
With the Island set to feel some of the effects of Tropical Storm Maria in the coming hours, Minister of National Security, Wayne Perinchief, warns the public, especially those on bikes, to use caution when travelling on exposed, wet roadways.
A statement issued by the Ministry said, “TS Maria will be around around 130nm to our west during the middle of tomorrow morning. South Southeast winds of 35 to 40 knots are expected, starting around dawn tomorrow morning, and then continuing to affect the morning commute. With winds forecasted of up to 45 knots affecting the western Marine area, the Bermuda Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning.”
“Although current forecast conditions would not warrant a closure, the winds and conditions on the Causeway will be monitored closely throughout tonight and tomorrow.
“Wave heights are not expected to reach 20 feet outside the reef [2-4 feet inside the reef], and there is no large storm surge expected. Rip currents and significant wave action on the South Shore beaches are expected, as the Island has seen with recent passing tropical systems Jose and Katia.”
Minister Pernichief also reminded residents to remain prepared in the event of a hurricane: “Bermuda, please do not be complacent. We have been lucky thus far, but there is still a ways to go. The hurricane season doesn’t end until 30 November.”
Along with having a hurricane preparedness kit, Mr. Perinchief reminds the public of the one official source for information in the event of a storm: “It is important to familiarize yourselves with the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO), which consists of representatives across Government, the Bermuda Weather Service, the Bermuda Police Service, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, the Bermuda Fire Service and Belco. The EMO carefully assesses what is happening before, during and after a hurricane and will take any necessary decisions that are in the best interest of the residents on the Island. It is important for residents to understand that information disseminated from any other source is not official.”
For information and updates, visit the EMO’s webpage at www.emobermuda.com. Radio listeners can also tune into the Emergency Broadcast System at 100.1 FM.
He concludes: “In Bermuda, we all know how easy it is for incorrect information to spread. However, I must emphasise unless it comes from the EMO, it is not deemed official.”
Yeah…right….more like “ELMO”………………Come on Wayne……thats what you have people working for you to do. Pop and Sizzle….still alive…..
Funny how with pretty much the same conditions they would shut down New York City. We in Bermuda really are unique in the way we can weather Tropical storms and Hurricanes . Something to be proud of I guess, the work of our forefathers in engineering the Bermuda stone roof and sturdy houses really is quite brilliant. Not only do they collect life giving water, they have sheltered us from some of the worst weather that nature can throw at us. Proud to be Bermudian!
Is this storm gonna actually do something to us this time, or are we just gonna prepare for another little breeze?
I’m not sure if Minister Perinchief would know about it, but there is a government website (gov.bm) that is supposed to be a way of communicating about imminent storms etc. Today the information is not all that helpful.
There is an article about the Labour Day waste collection (Labour Day was two weeks ago) and another article suggesting we prepare for Hurricane Katia (that came and went a week ago). Nothing about hurricane Maria, despite reports of ferries being cancelled, etc.
What a slick operation they have.
People getting too complacent about tropical storms as they can be rough especially a strong one. They mention the website above “For information and updates, visit the EMO’s webpage at http://www.emobermuda.com” Okay, go there and see if there is anything relevant to MARIA. At least BWS at http://www.weather.bm are most informative about what to expect!
Let’s not get caught flat-footed just because…. there is a very good chance that MARIA will be a hurricane before reaching us and by the way, it may be passing closer than we might expect in the morning (it’s turned NNE faster than forecast and now we are under a hurricane watch).
What a joke:this below copied just now from the EMO website.TS Shary was October 2010.
BERMUDA, Hamilton: The Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the Island.
And Bermuda can expect to feel the effects of Tropical Storm Shary as it makes its approach.
According to the BWS and the US National…
…and where is the Col. Burch to close the causeway, and take charge???!!