WeatherFanatics: Gonzalo Bears Down on Bermuda With Wind, Dangerous Surf

Friday, October 17, 2014

Gonzalo Bears Down on Bermuda With Wind, Dangerous Surf

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

October 18,2014; 1:23AM,EDT

Gonzalo continues to trek across Bermuda and has the potential to bring similar impacts to that of Fabian in 2003.
A hurricane of Category 2 strength is blasting Bermuda and is threatening lives and property across the region. Gonzalo weakened from a Category 3 to a Category 2 at 8 p.m. EDT.
According to AccuWeather.com Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski, "Bermuda is at risk for hurricane-force winds for at least six hours on Friday with gusts near 185 kph [115 mph]."
During the middle of Friday afternoon, winds were already gusting past 80 kph (50 mph) with the center of the hurricane still about 160 km (100 miles) away. Squalls will continue to ramp up into the early evening as the eye of the hurricane approaches.
At 11 p.m. EDT, the airport in Bermuda recorded sustained winds of 93 mph with winds gusting up to 113 mph.
Similar to Fabian, extensive damage is possible during Gonzalo's passage with the potential for significant and lengthy power outages and major impact on travel.

"This wind will severely damage roof tops, communications towers, utility poles and cause considerable tree damage," Kottlowski added.
In addition, a large and life-threatening storm surge could exceed 10 feet and cause a major rise in water levels over coastal areas and causeways.
Gonzalo strengthened Wednesday morning to become the first Category 4 hurricane, with winds of at least 209 kph (130 mph), in the Atlantic Basin since Ophelia in 2011.
While curving away from the Bahamas and the United States, the powerful and dangerous hurricane is following in the footsteps of Fay and targeting Bermuda.
A coastal inundation between 8 and 12 feet is forecast with offshore waves building to between 30 and 35 feet.
During early September 2003, Hurricane Fabian brought sustained winds of 120 mph and a peak gust of 164 mph to Bermuda. There were four fatalities in Bermuda with damage over $100 million (U.S.).
"As one of the strongest, costliest and the only storm to cause fatalities in Bermuda since the satellite era, the name Fabian was retired [after that hurricane season]," according to the Bermuda Weather Service.
RELATED:
AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center
Bermuda Weather Center
Newfoundland, Canada, Weather Center
Residents should be completing necessary precautions as conditions rapidly deteriorate.
The worst of Gonzalo will continue to slam Bermuda through Friday night before conditions slowly improve on Saturday.
Heavy rain totaling 50 to 100 mm (2 to 4 inches) threatens to cause flash flooding, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

Forecast winds can cause great damage to structures and widespread power outages. Anyone outside during the brunt of the storm would be at risk for bodily harm by flying objects, or swept away by huge waves if traveling on causeways or standing too close to shore.
As recently as last Saturday night and Sunday morning, torrential rain and damaging winds battered Bermuda as then-Tropical Storm Fay passed by. A peak wind gust to 82 mph was measured.
Weather conditions will rapidly improve across Bermuda for cleanup, rescue and recovery operations later Friday night and Saturday as Gonzalo takes aim at Newfoundland, Canada.

Rough Surf, Rip Current Risk Continues Along US Atlantic Coast

Even though Gonzalo will be steered away from the United States, the danger of rough surf and strong rip currents will be present at the East Coast beaches Friday. The risk will continue along the beaches in the Northeast on Saturday.

People should not stand on jetties or breakwaters to view the surf as occasionally a very large wave can sweep ashore with very little notice.
Small craft operators venturing offshore should be on the lookout for occasional large waves.
Gonzalo has already been blamed for the death of an elderly man who was on a boat in St. Maarten's Simpson Bay Lagoon, according to the Associated Press.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski and Meteorologist Mike Doll contributed content to this story.

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