Schools and airport shut as Hurricane Imelda moves over Bermuda

The Bermudan island nation has been shattered by the powerful hurricane Imelda’s core, which has caused flash flooding, severe weather, and destructive winds.

The National Weather Service in Miami, Florida reported that the Category 2 hurricane made landfall of 100 mph (161 km/h) late on Wednesday night. The storm passed directly over the island, moving eastward as it passed 32 kilometers (32 miles) southwest of Bermuda.

The National Hurricane Center stated in a post on X that “damaging waves and flash flooding are anticipated into the morning.” Later, it stated that as the hurricane’s core advanced northeast of the island, things would start to get better. “The Island Expected to Improve Over the kommenden Several Hours.”

Hurricane #Imelda Advisory 22A: Conditions On The Island Are Expecting to Improve Over the Next Few Hours, With Imelda’s Core Now East-Northeast of Bermuda. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ

Imelda quickly developed after Sunday afternoon when it formed as a tropical storm over the Bahamas. After tracking through the Bahamas and berating Florida’s east coast, it intensified into a hurricane on Monday night, bringing heavy rain and triggering tropical storm warnings for the central and northwestern Bahamas.

In advance of the hurricane’s arrival, Bermuda deployed 100 soldiers to guard roads, clear roads, and provide assistance at emergency shelters.

As a result of officials’ warnings to residents, local authorities closed public schools, government buildings, and the international airport on Wednesday. According to Bermuda’s government, 654 people were left without power and 53 people used emergency shelters.

According to Bermuda’s national security minister, Michael Weeks, “This is a dangerous storm system that could cause destructive winds, heavy rain, and significant coastal impacts.”

The hurricane center also warned of the dangerous storm surge that could cause coastal flooding if Imelda deposited 50 to 100mm (2 to 4 inches) of rain across Bermuda. Before Imelda made its closest move, hundreds of customers lost power.

Imelda struck the northern Caribbean earlier this week, causing floods.

Guantanamo province’s more than 18, 000 residents were evacuated in eastern Cuba, while flooding and landslides prevented access to 17 Santiago de Cuban communities, which house more than 24, 000 residents. One person is still missing in Haiti as a result of the severe flooding that has claimed two lives in Cuba.