Hurricane Gonzalo: Power and communications restored in Bermuda

Hurricane Gonzalo left a trail of damage in its wake on the tiny Atlantic territory of Bermuda.

Bermuda was “bruised” but came out of the storm better than expected, Premier Michael Dunkley said in a radio broadcast.

The storm made landfall on October 17, with strong winds and rain causing power cuts for most residents.

Only minor injuries were reported in the wake of 110mph winds.

It was the strongest storm to hit the British overseas territory in a decade.

Initially a category 4 storm, Hurricane Gonzalo was downgraded to category 2 on October 17 as it weakened on its approach to Bermuda.

Hurricane Gonzalo caused power cuts to 31,200 homes, but two-thirds had had their electricity restored by Saturday afternoon, according to the Bermuda Electric Company.

The hurricane caused flooding, felled trees, knocked down power lines and damaged buildings, including the island’s main hospital.

Bermuda’s international airport closed in anticipation of the storm and many roads were closed after being blocked by falling debris.

The main hospital saw some damage to its roof but otherwise fared well, Michael Dunkley said.

“As far as roads and infrastructure, we are in a much better position than many people might have thought,” he said, adding that the damage could be replaced, that thankfully no lives were lost, and only minor injuries were reported.

The Royal Navy has deployed a frigate, HMS Argyll, along with trained medical personnel to help with the provision of humanitarian assistance in Bermuda, the UK Ministry of Defense said.

It said the ship was en route to Bermuda, where it will help recover power, communications and water supplies, while a helicopter on the ship will carry out surveillance over the island.

Just days earlier, Tropical Storm Fay damaged homes and knocked down trees and power lines there.

“To be struck twice by two different cyclones is unusual, to say the least,” said Max Mayfield, a former director of the US National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Bermuda, an affluent island chain in the western Atlantic Ocean, is a popular tourist destination as well as a global hub for insurance companies and frequently sees strong tropical storms.