Bermuda Prepares for Hurricane 'Imelda' Amidst Post-Storm Recovery

In the wake of Hurricane Humberto's recent passing, Bermuda is bracing itself for another significant storm, Hurricane Imelda. Classified as a Category 1 hurricane on a scale of 1 to 5, Imelda is expected to strengthen further as it approaches the island chain, with predictions indicating it will pass closely by on Wednesday evening. The U.S. Hurricane Center in Miami has issued warnings regarding strong hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and potential flash flooding.

As a precautionary measure, the Bermuda government announced the closure of all public schools on Wednesday and Thursday. Public bus and ferry services will be temporarily suspended, and airport operations are set to halt as the storm draws near. Local reports suggest that Humberto served as a preliminary exercise to prepare for the impending threat posed by Imelda.

Hurricane Humberto, also a Category 1 storm, passed about 400 kilometers northwest of Bermuda on Tuesday, causing significant coastal impacts including high surf, gusty winds, and rain. The storm's effects were felt even along the U.S. East Coast, where five unoccupied houses on the Outer Banks of North Carolina collapsed into the ocean due to severe wave action. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, although authorities anticipate further structural failures given the hazardous marine conditions. The National Weather Service has issued warnings about life-threatening waves and currents across large portions of the East Coast.

Hurricane Imelda has already had devastating effects in the Caribbean, where it brought torrential rains and flooding. In eastern Cuba, two fatalities were reported in the provinces of Guantánamo and Santiago de Cuba, as confirmed by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz. The Bahamas, located just north of Cuba, also experienced heavy rain and flooding due to Imelda, according to local media outlets.

Typically, tropical storms like hurricanes form over warm ocean waters. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30.