Hurricane Gonzalo In Photos: Storm Downgraded After Battering Bermuda

Hurricane Gonzalo battered Bermuda Friday evening, cutting power to about 80 percent of those in the British overseas territory in the Atlantic Ocean, Reuters reported. The Bermuda Weather Service discontinued a tropical storm warning, and the service said the weather was improving after Gonzalo’s departure. No deaths have been reported.

Meanwhile, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Saturday morning: “Tropical storm conditions are possible in the tropical storm watch area in Newfoundland by late tonight and early Sunday. ... Large swells generated by Gonzalo are still affecting portions of the Virgin Islands, the northern coasts of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, portions of the Bahamas, portions of the United States East Coast, Bermuda and Atlantic Canada. These swells will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”

Tropical Storm Fay hit Bermuda early in the week, causing blackouts and downing trees across the islands, as noted by Weather.com. Officials are now assessing the additional damage caused by Gonzalo, as pointed out by Bernews.com. Bermuda Electric Light Co. Ltd., or Belco, is reporting almost 31,000 customers are without power.

“The EMO [Emergency Measures Organization] met at 8 a.m. this morning, and we are beginning the assessment of the damage sustained across the Island, and the work to restore Bermuda has already begun. Roads are being cleared, buildings are being made safe, and we are working with Belco to assist in restoring power to the numerous affected areas of the island,” Bermuda Premier Michael Dunkley said during a press conference.

The National Hurricane Center is reporting maximum sustained winds of about 90 mph, with Gonzalo around 355 miles north-northeast of Bermuda. The storm was classified as a Category 4 hurricane Thursday, but it weakened before hitting Bermuda.

The effect of Hurricane Gonzalo is being compared with the impact of Hurricane Fabian. That Category 3 hurricane hit Bermuda in 2003 and caused around $300 million in damage.