NU Online News Service, Sept. 20, 10:50 a.m. EDT
Hurricane Igor passed Bermuda late Sunday into early Monday as a large Category 1 storm, with winds continuing, just above the hurricane threshold, according to modelers.
"Initial reports from Bermuda include uprooted trees, debris, some flooding of roads around the coast and in Hamilton, and boats torn free from moorings," said Neena Saith, senior response manager for modeler Risk Management Solutions (RMS). "There are, however, indications of widespread power outages across the island."
A clearer picture of the damage should come later today, said RMS, as winds continue to affect the island. All of Bermuda was subject to hurricane-force winds from Hurricane Igor, mainly because the storm's winds extended outwards up to 90 miles, RMS said. In comparison, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 had hurricane force winds extending outward 105 miles.
The island was struck by Igor's fiercest winds, since the storm passed on the east side, RMS said. Storm surge and rain have battered Bermuda since Saturday, modelers said.
Modeler AIR Worldwide (AIR) said wind damage from Igor should be limited because Bermuda has strict building codes. Homes and commercial buildings are required to be built to withstand sustained winds of 110 mph, AIR said.
Igor is expected to turn out into the Atlantic Ocean and head to the east of Canada's Newfoundland after passing Bermuda.
In the meantime in Mexico, a dozen people are reported dead as a result of Hurricane Karl, which made landfall midday on Friday with sustained winds of 110 mph–equivalent to a borderline Category 3 storm, according RMS.
Hurricane Karl first made landfall at the Yucatan Peninsula Sept. 15, then gained strength when it reentered the Gulf of Mexico. The storm hit just north of Veracruz on Friday, AIR said, and then broke up.
RMS said a state of emergency was declared in 125 municipalities in Mexico. About 40,000 people were evacuated and others await rescue. More than 20,000 houses have been flooded and 50,000 people are without electricity or water, RMS said.
The poorly constructed buildings in the affected areas are likely uninsured, AIR added.
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