CANA is reporting that Bermuda shut down on Wednesday as Hurricane Humberto barreled towards this British Overseas Territory in the north Atlantic packing winds of 115 miles per hour and bringing the threat of heavy rain.
On the forecast track, the core of Humberto is expected to pass just to the northwest and north of Bermuda on Wednesday night, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Centre (NHC).
Humberto’s outer rain bands began affecting the island on Wednesday morning.
National Security Minister Wayne Caines said the government was relying on the public to make an informed decision for their own safety.
“We are not going to police our way through this,” he said. “We are saying that at 7 p.m., we want everyone off the roads. That is for everyone’s safety.”
Government schools and offices as well as ferries were set to close at noon, with the last bus due to leave here at 4 p.m. (local time).
Schools will remain closed on Thursday.
Banks also prepared to close at noon and will remain shut to the public on Thursday.
Concerning flights to the territory – British Airways flight from London was cancelled but it was not immediately known if the Bermuda International Airport would close.
The NHC said two to four inches of rain may fall on the island onThursday. The island has had less than an inch of rain so far this month.
Large swells generated by Humberto will increase along the coast of Bermuda on Wednesday, the NHC added.
“Dangerous breaking waves, especially along south-facing beaches, will be possible Wednesday night into Thursday, and could cause coastal flooding,” it added.
Humberto strengthened to a Category 3 storm late Tuesday.
According to the Bermuda Weather Service’s forecast, Humberto’s closest point to the island will be 101 miles to the northwest at 7 p.m., but said it could move closer to the island.
Humberto is expected to remain a major hurricane through early Thursday.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Jerry, the 10th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, has formed in the southeast Atlantic.
At 9 a.m., it was located 960 miles east of the Leeward Islands packing sustained winds of 45 mph. It was moving west-northwest at 13 mph and is set to become a hurricane on Friday.