Bermuda Prepares, Braces for Leslie
The U.S. National Hurricane Center says the storm could strengthen to aCategory 2 hurricane by the time it reaches Bermuda this weekend
Swells from Leslie were affecting the U.S. East Coast, as well asBermuda, the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and the VirginIslands. The swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.
"Our surf has been building over the last 48 hours or so. We're up toabout 10 feet just off our south shores," said Jeff Torgerson, of theBermuda Weather Service. "That's quite a concern for us. That createsthe hazardous conditions in the undertow on our favorite beaches."
Torgerson said he expects hurricane-force winds to occur between 9 p.m.Saturday to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Projected Path
The island’s resorts have already seen a handful of last-minutecancellations as the storm approaches, the Bermuda Sun reported. Somehotel managers were advising guests to leave the island by Friday andsuggested that guest arriving over the weekend postpone their visits.
Leslie has also affected cruise ship arrivals. The Norwegian Dawn,which was to arrive in Bermuda on Sunday, will head to the Bahamasinstead.
No strangers to tropical trouble, residents of Bermuda were preparingfor Leslie's arrival.
“It’s already started — people are just getting into the hurricanemode,” Andrew Mackay, manager at Gorham's hardware store, told the Sun,adding that sales for hurricane supplies were brisk.
"I would say Bermuda is very well-prepared for hurricanes," saidTorgerson, of the Bermuda Weather Service. "Our emergency managementorganization is very much on top of warning our public well in advance.... I think, by and large, the public here is very hurricane savvy."
Hurricane Fabian in 2003 was the last major hurricane to hit Bermuda.Powerful winds from the Category 3 storm resulted in moderate damagethroughout the island. A strong storm surge associated with thehurricane killed four people.
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