Report: Bermuda Comes Out Better Than Expected After Sustaining Direct Hit From Hurricane Gonzalo

bermudaAccording to BBC.com, Bermuda Premier Michael Dunkley said Bermuda was "bruised" by Hurricane Gonzalo but came out of the storm better than expected after it made landfall Friday, taking down power lines and damaging buildings.

Only minor injuries were reported in what was the strongest storm to hit the island in a decade. It was the second storm in a week to hit the island.

According to a statement issued by the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) reopened on Sunday. The causeway, the main road serving the airport, was reopened Saturday afternoon.

The majority of hotel properties in Bermuda are open and are able to accept guests. The Fairmont Hamilton Princess, specifically, is reporting that it did not sustain damage as a result of Hurricane Gonzalo. To ensure the safety and security of its guests and colleagues, the hotel team followed a comprehensive hurricane preparedness plan, and the property was well equipped to handle the storm. 

After sustaining minimal impact from the weekend passing of Hurricane Gonzalo through Bermuda, the Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort has resumed normal business operations as of Sunday and is currently accepting guests. The resort was evacuated prior to the storm’s arrival but received no major damage from the hurricane.

Clients with trips planned to Bermuda should contact their airline and hotel to confirm the specifics of their travel arrangements. 

Cruise ship calls to the island scheduled for today have been cancelled as a result of Hurricane Gonzalo. The Celebrity Infinity remains on schedule for her arrival Wednesday.
 
Public ferry service has resumed its normal schedule and bus service will begin once a roads assessment of all routes is completed. 

"Once again Bermuda has shown it is built to last in the face of severe weather like Hurricane Gonzalo," said Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO Bill Hanbury in a written release. "The cooperation of the public and private sectors along with the tenacity of Bermuda's people is putting this island paradise back on its feet at incredible speed.  All of us are ready to get back to work doing what we do best: welcoming visitors."

Gonzalo caused power cuts to 31,200 homes, although two-thirds of people had their electricity restored by Saturday afternoon, according to the Bermuda Electric Company. The hurricane also caused flooding, uprooted trees and damaged buildings.

Initially a category 4 storm as it approached the island, Hurricane Gonzalo weakened and was downgraded to a category 2 storm on Friday before it made landfall on the British overseas territory.

Earlier last week, Tropical Storm Fay damaged homes and knocked down trees and power lines.

"To be struck twice by two different cyclones is unusual, to say the least," Max Mayfield, a former director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, told BBC.com.

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