Powerful Hurricane Gonzalo takes aim at Bermuda

HAMILTON, Bermuda — Hurricane Gonzalo roared toward Bermuda as a powerful Category 4 storm early Friday amid warnings by forecasters that the British island territory would likely be hit with damaging winds and life-threatening storm surge in coming hours.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said conditions in Bermuda, where a hurricane warning is in effect, would begin deteriorating later Friday morning. At 5 a.m. EDT, Gonzalo was centered about 240 miles (385 kilometers) south-southwest of Bermuda, packing top sustained winds of 130 mph (215 kph).

The prime minister of the tiny territory in the Atlantic had urged those in low-lying areas to consider moving to higher ground as Bermuda braced for Gonzalo's approach. "This hurricane is a large storm, and we should expect at least 24 hours of storm-force winds," Premier Michael Dunkley said.

Forecasters said Gonzalo was moving to the north-northeast at 15 mph (24 kph) and the eye of the storm was expected near Bermuda by Friday afternoon or evening. The Bermuda Weather Service has said the eye could pass within 29 miles (46 kilometers) of the island, close enough to be considered a direct hit.

The hurricane's approach comes days after Tropical Storm Fay damaged homes and knocked down trees and power lines in Bermuda, with 1,500 homes still without power late Thursday. Bermuda's residents have stripped stores of emergency supplies in recent days as they battened down for Gonzalo.

"This is a very serious event," Dave Fox, a public affairs officer for the Bermuda government, said in a recent telephone interview.

The last major hurricane to strike Bermuda was Fabian in 2003, a Category 3 storm that killed four people. The last major hurricane to cross land in the Atlantic Basin was Hurricane Sandy in 2012, which hit Cuba as a Category 3 storm.

Pedestrians walk past a shop boarded up with storm shutters as Bermudans prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Gonzalo in Hamilton.Photo: Reuters

Shoppers stock up on groceries as they prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Gonzalo in Hamilton.Photo: Reuters

Fox said the government opened a high school as a shelter but noted that Bermuda is known for structures that can withstand heavy storms.

"We build for hurricanes," he said. "It's part of the building code."

Bermuda, an island of roughly 70,000 people that lies 850 miles (1,400 kilometers) east of the U.S. state of South Carolina, has one of the highest per-capita incomes in the world.

The capital of Hamilton appeared nearly deserted late Thursday as stores boarded up windows. The businesses that remained open reported a steady stream of customers grabbing up essentials at the last minute. Gas stations also reported brisk business.

"I was here for Hurricane Fabian in 2003, so I'm not taking any chances this time," said Susan Black, a retiree who filled her car and several gas cans Thursday.

Many people moved boats to safer areas. While some were able to store them on dry land, others relied on storm moorings and hoped for the best.

Kimberley Zuill, Bermuda Weather Service director, said Gonzalo's path and duration would be similar to Fabian's, and that seas would reach 35 to 45 feet (11 to 14 meters). Forecasters said destructive waves could cause significant flooding on the island, which is about one-third the size of Washington, D.C.

Between 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 centimeters) of rain also was predicted.

Workers board up a restaurant as Bermudans prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Gonzalo in Flatts Village.Photo: Reuters

As a precaution, authorities evacuated two hotels along Bermuda's southern coast, with guests either flying out or being placed in another hotel. The government said that late Friday morning it would close a causeway that links the eastern end of Bermuda with the mainland.

Gonzalo swept by the eastern Caribbean earlier this week, claiming one life in the Dutch territory of St. Maarten. Large ocean swells continued to affect parts of the Virgin Islands, the northern coasts of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, parts of the Bahamas and the U.S. East Coast from North Carolina southward.

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