HURRICANE LEE

Please be advised of the updates regarding Hurricane Lee and decisions made by the EMO this afternoon:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Bermuda.

The track and closest point of approach of Lee continues to be similar this morning to what we have been seeing yesterday. The 50 knot sustained winds boundary continued to fluctuate in and out of the western marine area. The strongest winds are expected to arrive by Thursday evening and remain until near dawn on Friday. The western marine area as well as elevated and exposed places will most likely occasionally see sustained winds up to 50 knots.

A short break down of the forecast is as follows:

Thursday early morning winds ESE 20-30 knots gusts 40 knots

Thursday mid-morning winds ESE 30-40 knots gusts to 55 knots

Thursday late afternoon wind SE 40-50 knots gusts to 65 knots

Thursday overnight winds veer S after CPA

Friday morning winds SSW 35-45 knots gusts to 60 knots

Friday mid-morning winds SSW 30-40 knots gusts to 50 knots

Friday mid to late afternoon winds SW 20-30 knots

Friday towards midnight winds W 15-25 knots

Lee’s forecast has continued to be very consistent, giving high confidence to it. It would be very unusual for anything to significantly change at this point.

As it relates to public services, at this stage, here’s what I can advise:

• In-person services at Government Offices will be open tomorrow and resume at noon on Friday to allow crews from the various sections to assess the roadways.
• The Causeway will remain open, and will be closely monitored by the Ministry of Public Works.
• Public schools will be closed tomorrow and Friday out of an abundance of caution.
• Ferry services will be suspended tomorrow, and an assessment will be made on Friday morning and communicated to the public.
• Busses will run according to their normal schedules tomorrow until 5.30 p.m., when bus operations will be suspended. An assessment of the roadways will be carried out first thing on Friday morning once winds have diminished.
• Concerning the LF Wade International Airport, flights will be suspended from 12 p.m. tomorrow – with the exception of tomorrow’s British Airways flights to and from the island, which are expected to proceed as scheduled. Passengers on other flights should check with their respective airlines.
• The Government shelter will not be opened.
• There will be no change to garbage collection services.

The Parks Department has posted high surf warning signs along our public beaches and parks.