Tropical Storm Fay strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane in the Atlantic but was expected to weaken, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said.
The storm earlier swept past Bermuda, lashing the island with heavy rain and gusting winds, knocking out power for more than 27,000 customers of the Bermuda Electric Light Company. The utility is the sole supplier of electricity for the territory of roughly 65,000 inhabitants.
Fay downed trees and utility poles and several roads were blocked across the tiny archipelago, which has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world and enforces strict building codes to ensure that homes can withstand intense weather. Bermuda authorities urged residents not to venture out on the roads. “The safest thing is for people to remain at home and allow the important work that follows this kind of storm to be done safely,” Acting Premier Trevor Moniz said.
Fay weakened and moved east-northeast of Bermuda. But new warnings and watches were issued for the Caribbean as Tropical Storm Gonzalo formed east of the Leeward Islands and threatened the region.
Up to yesterday afternoon, Gonzalo’s centre was located about 200 miles east of Guadeloupe and about 230 miles east-southeast of Antigua, moving toward the west near 10 mph. Gonzalo was expected to move through the Leeward Islands early this morning. Maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph, but were expected to strengthen over 48 hours. Tropical storm warnings and watches are in effect for most of the region, as a result.
Tropical Storm Gonzalo is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches across the Leeward Islands, British and US Virgin Islands and eastern Puerto Rico.—Caribbean News Now