Hurricane Bill – Government statement

The Acting Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, the Hon. Walter Roban JP, MP this afternoon provided a post Hurricane Bill update.

Minister Roban said, ‘From all reports it appears that Bermuda suffered minimal damage and interruption of services as a result of Hurricane Bill passing to our west on Saturday morning. Let me once again say thank you to the members of the Bermuda Police Service, the Bermuda Fire Service, the Bermuda Weather Service, the Bermuda Regiment, the Ministry of Works and Engineering and the Department of Parks who all worked tirelessly during the height of the storm to ensure the safety and well being of this Island.’

After consulting with all Government and private sector entities involved in hurricane relief efforts, Minister Roban, as Acting Chair of the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) reports the following:

In the East End, divers have inspected the Causeway and Swing Bridge and reported neither structure was damaged in the storm. The Causeway was opened to all traffic at 9.30 am on Saturday and the swing bridge was opened to all marine traffic as of 9.30 am on Sunday.

The LF Wade International Airport opened for operations at 2 pm on Saturday, August 22nd. Those who are travelling are still encouraged to call their respective airlines to ensure their flights are operating as scheduled.

Concerning public transportation; buses and ferries are operating on their normal schedules.

The Ministry of Works and Engineering, Water Section reported that Government-supplied water was provided throughout the storm. All facilities have been assessed and no damage has been found. Water is available to all facilities and residents.

All truckers’ outlets will remain closed for today and reopen in the morning. The hotline has been updated accordingly.

Garbage collection in the west-end will be as regularly scheduled on Monday.

BELCO reported that power was restored to all customers in the aftermath of Hurricane Bill just after midnight, so that all woke up to electricity on Sunday morning.

Minister Roban said, ‘Finally I again want to commend the EMO. Our preparation exercises allowed a smooth flow of information such that pre and post- hurricane Bill operations were executed with efficiency. The public remains our primary interest and once again a special thank you to our residents who all pulled together to ensure that they were prepared and weathered this storm.’

Minister Roban also reminded residents that we continue to be in the midst of Hurricane Season which typically peaks around September 10 and urged residents to ensure they are prepared for any future storms that may threaten Bermuda.

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