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'Dangerous' Hurricane Igor heads toward Bermuda
Source: Agencies |
September 19, 2010, Sunday
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HURRICANE Igor approached Bermuda yesterday packing powerful winds and heavy rains as the island's premier warned residents to prepare for "one of the worst hurricanes to ever threaten our shores."
Squalls were already spreading across the British overseas territory as the center of the Category 2 storm moved to within 325 miles (520 km) of the tiny island en route to what local forecasters called a "direct hit" on the wealthy hub for the global insurance industry.
The US National Hurricane Center forecast that Igor's center would pass over or near the island late today or early tomorrow, but that conditions would start deteriorating last night, with hurricane conditions expected as early as this afternoon.
Igor was "expected to remain a dangerous hurricane" as it approached Bermuda, the Miami-based hurricane center said in its 8 pm (0000 GMT) advisory. It predicted total rainfall accumulations of 6 to 9 inches (15 to 22 cm) over Bermuda and that the storm could produce significant coastal flooding and large, destructive waves, particularly along the southern coast.
Bermuda Premier Ewart Brown said people were frightened as the storm approached.
"Today we stand on the eve of the arrival of one of the worst hurricanes to ever threaten our shores," Brown told a news conference. "Our country and our people have throughout our history rarely faced the full fury of a storm of this magnitude. And as a people, we will continue to pray that once again we will be spared."
Most stores and restaurants in the capital, Hamilton, were boarded up and many residents were buying up supplies like gas, batteries, food and candles.
"The shutters are up, I've put tape across the windows and I've got a lot of buckets ready," said Eddie DeSilva, a 64-year-old cleaner.
Bermuda's buildings are some of the best-constructed in the world, weather forecasters and analysts say, which could help mitigate any storm damage.
Igor had sustained winds of 100 mph (160 kph), with hurricane-force winds extending out for 90 miles (150 km), the hurricane center said.
Squalls were already spreading across the British overseas territory as the center of the Category 2 storm moved to within 325 miles (520 km) of the tiny island en route to what local forecasters called a "direct hit" on the wealthy hub for the global insurance industry.
The US National Hurricane Center forecast that Igor's center would pass over or near the island late today or early tomorrow, but that conditions would start deteriorating last night, with hurricane conditions expected as early as this afternoon.
Igor was "expected to remain a dangerous hurricane" as it approached Bermuda, the Miami-based hurricane center said in its 8 pm (0000 GMT) advisory. It predicted total rainfall accumulations of 6 to 9 inches (15 to 22 cm) over Bermuda and that the storm could produce significant coastal flooding and large, destructive waves, particularly along the southern coast.
Bermuda Premier Ewart Brown said people were frightened as the storm approached.
"Today we stand on the eve of the arrival of one of the worst hurricanes to ever threaten our shores," Brown told a news conference. "Our country and our people have throughout our history rarely faced the full fury of a storm of this magnitude. And as a people, we will continue to pray that once again we will be spared."
Most stores and restaurants in the capital, Hamilton, were boarded up and many residents were buying up supplies like gas, batteries, food and candles.
"The shutters are up, I've put tape across the windows and I've got a lot of buckets ready," said Eddie DeSilva, a 64-year-old cleaner.
Bermuda's buildings are some of the best-constructed in the world, weather forecasters and analysts say, which could help mitigate any storm damage.
Igor had sustained winds of 100 mph (160 kph), with hurricane-force winds extending out for 90 miles (150 km), the hurricane center said.
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