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Tropical storm Gabrielle pounds Bermuda
Tropical Storm Gabrielle. IMAGE/National Hurricane Center
Two international flights were cancelled and St George’s ferry service suspended as reborn Tropical Storm Gabrielle took direct aim at Bermuda on Tuesday.
The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning for the territory as Gabrielle closed in on the island.
Residents, caught on the hop over Gabrielle’s resurgence, were also keeping a close eye on another tropical storm, Humberto – which is likely to become a hurricane.
Humberto is packing winds of 105 kph (65 mph) and is expected to become the season’s first hurricane. It is moving west-northwest and is forecast to be around 2,977 kilometers (1,850 miles) east of Bermuda by Friday.
Gabrielle, packing 64 kph (40 mph) winds and the first storm of the hurricane season to threaten the island, is forecast to pass 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the northwest of Bermuda around midnight, according to an advisory issued by the Bermuda Weather Service.
Some strengthening in Gabrielle is forecast over the next two days and is expected to bring storm surge of two to three feet above normal tide levels.
Gabrielle, which appeared to fizzle out after hitting parts of the Caribbean last week, is forecast to bring tropical-force winds, thunderstorm activity as well as heavy rain from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning, the Bermuda Weather Service said.
Tuesday night’s British Airways flight from and to London has been cancelled, along with WestJet Toronto service.
St George’s ferry service has been suspended until further notice because of bad weather linked to the storm but other ferry services were operating as normal on Tuesday morning.
A spokeswoman for the Transport Ministry said the St George’s ferry service was suspended until further notice due to inclement weather, but all other ferry services were operating as normal. The Ministry of Public Safety urged caution on the roads.
Power provider the Bermuda Electric Light Company (BELCO) also encouraged residents to make storm preparations.
“BELCO is readying equipment, supplies and crews, as we prepare for the storm and monitor its progress,” a spokesman said. -(CMC)