Bermuda returning to normal after battering from freak storm
/ Our Today
administratorIsland plunged into darkness, as rescue services stretched to the limit
Having been battered by a freak storm on Thursday night (January 28) the Caribbean island of Bermuda is beginning to return to normal.
Bermuda was pounded by storm-force winds and hurricane force gusts, which left most of the island in darkness. On Thursday, there were 653 customers without power, down from 3,600 at 8 a.m.
Customers without power were asked not to call 955 unless the local light and power company, Belco’s wires had come down or there was a pole fire. The company said it would advise when to call 955 if customers remained without power.
All government schools reopened Friday morning except Paget Primary which was without electricity. Private schools were also believed to have all opened.
Spokesperson Krista Barnes reported that Belco’s crisis management team would continue to meet and coordinate restoration efforts that would be ongoing throughout the day. Firefighters responded to 13 emergency calls during the storm.
Incident reports being received
A Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the incidents included five automatic alarms, six pole fires and an emergency medical call. Several pole fires were reported across the island, including Somerset Road and West Side Road in Sandys, Mullet Bay Road in St George’s, Devon Spring Road and Middle Road in Devonshire and Admiral Walk in Southampton.
Yesterday began with relative calm, but wind speeds increased significantly over the day and into the night as the winter storm passed over the island. The Bermuda Marine Operations Centre (BMOC) said last night that at least one vessel – Island Spirit – had been torn from its moorings, but no other reports of problems with moored boats was reported by press time.
A BMOC spokesman said that two other vessels, one in Riddells Bay, Warwick and the other in Coot Pond, St George’s were reported to be low in the water and another vessel in Dolly’s Bay, St David’s had dragged its moorings.
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