It is a peaceful, serene, beautiful vacation spot. Travelers from all around the world flock to its shores to gaze deep into the crystal waters, basking in the sunshine while reclining on sandy beaches. Bermuda is a tourist destination, promising a relaxing sojourn to a tropical island in the Atlantic. It has a long history and is surrounded by folklore, especially the tales of the Bermuda Triangle. However, this week, Bermuda is facing a very real danger as Hurricane Gonzalo threatens the island nation.
On Friday morning, a Category 4 storm, Hurricane Gonzalo, moved towards Bermuda. As of early Friday it was still unclear whether the eye of the hurricane would make landfill, however, it was certain it would come close enough to do severe damage. According to reports, the storm has sustained winds of approximately 130 mph. The center of the storm, the eye, was located about 195 miles to the south-southwest of the island when tropical force winds began buffeting the shoreline. This is a clear indication of the width and breadth of this major Hurricane, one of the few to move through the Atlantic this season.
The National Hurricane Center has been watching the storm develop and has charted its course for days. The data collected has indicated the very real possibility of high damaging winds with severe storm surge on Friday as the eye moves closer to Bermuda. Even as the storm rapidly moves through the Atlantic, Bermuda will still suffer through at least six hours of hurricane force winds, some topping out over 120 mph. As the shore is blasted by the rain, winds, and waves, the eye will pass within 30 miles of the tiny island later Friday. This close distance will be recorded as a direct hit, as the effect of the storm will be almost identical as if the eye of Hurricane Gonzalo sailed directly over the island.
As has been experienced by many with recent storms in the Atlantic and along the eastern seaboard of the United States, one of the most dangerous conditions of a major Hurricane is the storm surge. Hurricane Gonzalo is expected to carry quite a punch, and those who live in low lying areas on the island are advised to move to higher ground.
In anticipation of the arriving storm, the airport which services the island was closed late Thursday and Friday, as well as local schools. In addition, the government suspended all public transportation, including buses and ferries. On Thursday, prior to the shutdown of the island transportation system, local officials evacuated two large hotels on the southern coast of the island by flying the guests out of the airport or relocating them to hotels in less dangerous areas on the island.
While the rain and wind will cause havoc on Bermuda, the extended reach of this storm will be felt along the East Coast of the United States. Starting early Friday morning, the Southeast coast of the United States would begin to feel the effects of large swells and bigger than normal waves. As the storm progresses north in the Atlantic, the dangerous and life threatening conditions of the heavy surf and swirling rip tide will move up the East Coast.
Oftentimes, when planning your special family vacation or intimate romantic getaway, you research hotels, restaurants and local attractions. A thorough and detailed planner may look into the weather during your expected vacation. When those who choose to go to Bermuda this week were researching the weather patterns, they would have learned that the last major hurricane to strike the island was Fabian in 2003. Further, the travelers would have discovered Fabian was a Category 3 storm, which is somewhat bearable and less dangerous than the Category 4 monster called Hurricane Gonzalo.
As with all storms, this too will pass. Hurricane Gonzalo will cause major turmoil and upheaval on Bermuda on Friday and then make is way northward and west ward in the Atlantic. There is a possibility that it may touch Newfoundland in eastern Canada on late Saturday, but is not expected to impact any other lands besides Bermuda.
