EMO Advisory: Causeway, Airport & More

The Causeway has sustained some damage and remains closed, an assessment of the airport is currently underway, there are some 27,431 households without power, and ‎Government offices, buildings and schools will remain closed on Friday.

These updates were provided by the Emergency Measures Organisation [EMO] after an initial assessment following the passage of Hurricane Nicole. For our ongoing live updates on Hurricane Nicole click here, and for all coverage of Nicole click here.

Slideshow of the aftermath of Hurricane Nicole:

Update: The Causeway has opened

The full statement from the EMO is below:

After an initial assessment following the passage of Hurricane Nicole the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) provided the follow update.

It should be noted that the EMO will formally convene a meeting tomorrow where further pertinent public updates will be provided. This will be followed by a formal media briefing.

As it stands this evening, the Minister of National Security, Sen. Jeffrey Baron JP, moved to reassure the public that all relevant agencies were fully deployed and are currently hard at work clearing roads and assessing the damage of Hurricane Nicole.

Minister Baron said, “As soon as it was safe to do so crews from the Ministry of Public Works, the Department of Parks and Royal Bermuda Regiment personnel were deployed to start road clearing and making areas safe for BELCO crews to work on restoring power.

“Already some progress is being made and we will continue update the public throughout the evening.‎

“As we continue to assess the damages around the Island I want to again make a plea to residents to please stay off the roads. We recognise that there has been significant flooding in areas around the Island and some severe road damages.

“Obviously we are also concerned about downed trees and downed power lines which are live. So out of an abundance of caution, I’m urging the public to please stay off the roads and inside to ensure that all necessary work can proceed safely.

“The EMO will meet tomorrow to assess the restoration progress.

“As homeowners begin assessing the damage at their homes, we urge them to use utmost caution and ensure they are using all appropriate safety equipment to reduce the risk of injury.”

As it currently stands the EMO can update on the following regarding the mobilization of services:

• An assessment of the L. F. Wade International Airport is currently underway and an update will be forthcoming regarding its operation. As it relates to flight arrivals and departures, residents are encouraged to call their respective airlines to get latest updates on scheduling.

• The latest BELCO update indicated that there are some 27,431 households without power and they are working to restore power to those homes.

• The Causeway has sustained some damage and remains closed until the critical assessments by the Ministry of Public Works engineers are carried out. Residents are asked to be patient as these important works are carried out.

• Government offices, buildings and schools will remain closed on Friday. Assessments are currently underway. Any updates regarding their reopening will be shared with the public accordingly.

• The KEMH and the Lambe Foggo Urgent Care Centre are operational.

• The Ministry of Public Works advised that Marsh Folly is open for waste drop off.

• The Emergency Broadcast station, 100.1 FM will cease operation at 8:00pm tonight and be back on air at 7.00am tomorrow morning if no local radio stations are broadcasting live‎.

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