EMO Statement: Airport, Causeway, Schools
The Emergency Measures Organisation [EMO] provided an update this evening [Oct 18] following Hurricane Gonzalo, which passed the island as a category 3, battering the island for a number of hours.
The EMO said the airport sustained additional roof damage, however it is anticipated that it will be open late tomorrow [Sunday] afternoon. All Government offices, building and public schools continue to be assessed, and an announcement regarding their opening will be made tomorrow.
As far as public transportation, the ferry service will be operational tomorrow, however bus service will remain suspended until a full assessment of the Island’s roads has been complete.
Regiment soldiers will continue the task of assisting with clean-up and repair efforts in various locations around the Island, while the Tyne’s Bay residential waste drop off area will be open tomorrow from 7am – 7pm, and the Marsh Folly Dump will be open from 8am – 6.30pm tomorrow.
To follow our ongoing live blog covering Hurricane Gonzalo click here, for our post-storm photo gallery click here, and for all of our Hurricane Gonzalo coverage click here.
The full statement from the EMO is below:
The public is advised that the Bermuda Government’s Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) met late this afternoon (Saturday) to get the latest updates on post Hurricane Gonzalo restoration and clean-up efforts.
As of 6.00 p.m. this evening, the public is advised that:
The L.F. Wade International Airport: The facility continues to be assessed. There was additional roof damage experienced at the airport, however it is anticipated that the airport will be open for business late tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon. The airport’s opening will be confirmed with the public tomorrow.
Belco: The 6.00 p.m. update indicated that the number of customers without power total approximately 18,685.
Causeway: As the public is aware, the Causeway reopened earlier today. Commuters travelling to and from the East End are encouraged to exercise patience as the causeway is open to one lane traffic in a partial area of the bridge. The full reopening of two lane traffic will be advised once repairs have been completed to the damaged portions of the bridge.
Government Buildings: All Government offices, building and public schools continue to be assessed. An announcement regarding their opening will be made tomorrow (Sunday).
Public Transportation: The ferry service will be operational tomorrow (Sunday). However bus service will remain suspended until a full assessment of the Island’s roads has been complete. The public will be updated regarding the resumption of the bus service.
Bermuda Regiment: The Bermuda Regiment remains under partial embodiment. Regiment soldiers will continue the task of assisting with clean-up and repair efforts in various locations around the Island.
HMS Argyll: The British Navy vessel arrived in Bermuda this afternoon, and assisted with aerial reconnaissance missions across the Island. The Argyll remains ready to assist with general duties.
Garbage drop off: The Tyne’s Bay residential waste drop off area will be open tomorrow (Sunday) from 7.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. Marsh Folly Dump will be open from 8.00 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday).
Tarpaulin: Recognising that that there was considerable residential roof and structural damage, Government will be providing tarpaulin to those affected. The collection area is Warwick Camp from 8.00 a.m. – 8.00 pm.
As an added note, the Emergency Broadcast Station located at 100.1 FM will be operational until 8.00 p.m. this evening (Saturday) and resume service at 8.00 a.m. through 8.00 p.m. tomorrow.
The EMO will meet again tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon and provide a progress report following the meeting.
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Once again we thank all who have / are taking part in resuming a semblance of normality to those of us that have been affected by not one, but two hurricanes in the past week:-(
The EMO broadcast last night was utterly ridiculous. They literally gave no information that was relevant to what people actually needed to know during the height of the storm. No updates from the weather service after 6PM, the person that was giving the weather report had no clue what the devil he was saying, “oh, I’m not a meteorologist, I’m just reading it as I understand it” – His understanding of it, was completely wrong too, type of bs is that? Why was no one from the BWS there to update the public of what exactly was happening with the storm? Where it was located, what direction the winds were shifting to, speeds, rain bands, no useful information at all was given all night. And then, we’re told we will receive hourly updates, and no update was given – did we really need to know how many calls the fire service received? I don’t think so. Would’ve been nice to know if the storm had weakened, strengthened, changed course, sped up, slowed down, if we were entering a more intense rain band or thunderstorm; that is the information that needed to have been given. People have no power, the only source of information was whatever radio stations were still operational, Magic was giving more information than the EMO channel was for Christ’s sake. Stay inside, stay inside, that is all that was said all night, not to mention the very unprofessional nature of the persons on the air and extremely offensive music selection.
Is this the same James that thought the plastic around the car was dumb. Our whole
family listened to the emergency station and felt they did a fine job, we always new where we were in the storm and approximately how much and what was left to come. I find it sad that after surviving such a major storm alive and well, people still can’t stop complaining. Next time why don’t you volunteer, so many EMO people risked their life in this storm, you should just be grateful,or pick a better cause like the idiot that barbecued in his house!
I agree with James. 100.1 was very hard to get in St. Georges, and imagine how frustrating it is to try for 15 minutes to get a small radio to pick up the ‘emergency’ station only to get blasted with a 2000′s Sean Paul song…if you designate an emergency station use it for information! People can change the station to music if they so wish.
Glad to hear that the Island is getting back to normal and did not suffer the same fate and loss-of-life that came with *Fabian* back in ’03!! Those without “power” from BELCO have my deepest sympathies – especially if you also have young children living at home!!
Stay strong… This too shall pass!!
Are government offices and schools open tomorrow? I have limited access to resources.
Bernews if you can kindly advise if you haven’t already done so. My internet is not working at full capacity so service is limited. Thank you.