Residents of Bermuda have been preparing for Hurricane Gonzalo, which started to impact the island this morning and will continue to pummel the area for the next 12-18 hours. With maximum sustained winds at 130 mph, Gonzalo is a Category 4 but the latest forecasts from the Bermuda Weather Service indicate that it will hit the island as a "solid three, whereas at the last advisory it was a three tapering down to a two," said BWS director Kimberley Zuill in the Royal Gazette.
The latest report from the National Hurricane Center expects the eye of the storm to be "near Bermuda this afternoon or tonight." Hurricane conditions will reach Bermuda this afternoon, bringing with it storm surges that will produce significant flooding along the coast. The NHC expects "the surge to be accompanied by large and destructive waves." Rainfall accumulations are expected to be 3-6 inches across the island and storm conditions are expected to continue through 5 a.m. on Saturday.
Local government officials are recommending that residents complete their preparations early this morning. Schools have been closed, as well as the airport and public beaches. The Causeway, a narrow strip of land and bridges that links St. David's Island where the airport is located to Hamilton Parrish on the main island of Bermuda, closed at 10 a.m. Officials are not sure when it will be reopened.
Shelters are being set up in schools around the island and utility companies throughout the Caribbean are on standby in case they are needed after the hurricane. Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva is urging everyone to stay inside and anticipate at least 24 hours of storm force winds. The Royal Navy ship HMS Argyll is heading toward the island to provide assistance if necessary after the storm. Residents in low-lying areas have been encouraged to evacuate to higher ground.
Tropical storm strength winds were reported at 8 a.m. and are expected to continue moving across the island throughout the day. The BWS is forecasting that the storm will be closest around 7 p.m. when the eye will be approximately 24 nautical miles off of the island.
Freisenbruch-Meyer, an insurer headquartered in Hamilton, says it intends to be open for business at 9 a.m. on Saturday or as soon as is feasible after the storm to assist residents with any claims.
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