Powerful Hurricane Gonzalo Makes Landfall In Bermuda

A dangerous hurricane packing sustained winds at 110 mph made landfall Friday night in Bermuda, cutting power to most of the island as residents hunkered down.

What We Know So Far

• Gonzalo is a Category 2 storm, packing 110 mph winds. • The hurricane made landfall Friday night on the island. • Residents braced for the storm, closing business and moving boats. • 31,200 customers, nearly 90% of Bermuda, are without power.

Live webcam from Port Bermuda

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Updates

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On Saturday, crews cleared away downed trees and power lines. Some 20,000 homes in Bermuda were still without power in the afternoon, according to the Associated Press.

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Bermuda's main hospital sustains damage as much of the country loses power.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines told the Associated Press that part of the roof at Bermuda's main hospital was damaged as Gonzalo battered the island Friday night, including some water damage in a new intensive care unit.

The Atlantic island country has strict buildings codes made to ensure structures can withstand winds up to 110 mph.

Bermuda Electric Light Co. reported more than 31,000 customers were without electricity during the storm, out of a total 36,000 connections.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

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The Bermuda Weather Service was forced to evacuate its observer area after sustaining damage during fierce winds from Hurricane Gonzalo.

Facebook: BermudaWeatherService

Bermuda International Airport reported sustained winds at 93 mph, gusting to 113 mph at 10:55 p.m. ET as the backside of Gonzalo lashed the island.

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Hurricane Gonzalo made landfall at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET along the coast of Bermuda.

The National Hurricane Center said Gonzalo was a Category 2 storm with 110 mph winds when it made landfall Friday night.

Bermuda International Airport reported sustained hurricane-force winds of 74 mph and a gust to 96 mph before the eye moved over the island.

Radar showed the eye of the hurricane passing directly over Bermuda.

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The eye of Hurricane Gonzalo passed directly over Bermuda after 8 p.m. ET Friday. Photos and videos showed the eerie calm.

Barometer before I left the room 953mb #Gonzalo #Eye #Bermuda

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A Bermuda resident posted video showing the powerful wind blasting the island.

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About 80% of Bermuda has lost power as Hurricane Gonzalo lashes the island with fierce wind and storm surge.

BELCO: As of 8pm, 29,000 customers without power due to #Gonzalo...which is about 80% of the island http://t.co/MYBzIk7qai

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Bermuda is in the northern eyewall of Hurricane Gonzalo.

Hurricane-force winds are being observed on Bermuda. The National Hurricane Center reported sustained winds of 83 mph, gusting to 112 mph at Commissioner's Point, an elevated observation site on Bermuda.

Hurricane Gonzalo was located 40 miles SSW of Bermuda at 6 p.m. ET, and moving NNE at 16 mph.

At 6:15 p.m. ET, a 121 mph wind gust was reported at a weather observation site at St. George's, Bermuda.

BREAKING: 121mph gust at 7:15pm AT from @WeatherBug station in St. George's, Bermuda. #Gonzalo ||

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Large waves and strong rain are hammering the coast, Reuters reported:

By mid-afternoon streets were empty as the high winds reaching tropical storm force of 40 mph bent back palm trees on Harrington Sound in the middle of the islands, prompting the government to close a major causeway bridge linking the main island to the east end.

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Hurricane Gonzalo's eye will be over Bermuda in a few hours.

The National Hurricane Center, in a 5 p.m. update, said the center of the storm is almost upon the islands.

The maximum sustained winds of the category 3 storm are at 115 miles an hour, with even greater gusts, the center said.

"Gonzalo is expected to be a dangerous hurricane when it moves near or over Bermuda," the center said, adding that the storm surge and coastal flooding is expected to be "life threatening."

The hurricane will begin to weaken on Saturday, when it moves over cooler waters.

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Conditions at Port Bermuda are rapidly deteriorating as the hurricane nears.

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A close up satellite loop shows Gonzalo closing in on the tiny island.

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Massive waves were seen pounding Bermuda's coastline.

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Hurricane Gonzalo was photographed Thursday from the International Space Station by astronaut Alexander Gerst.

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Radar shows the eye of Hurricane Gonzalo approaching Bermuda at 2:40 p.m. ET.

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Major Hurricane Gonzalo is expected to pass perilously close to Bermuda on Friday.

Residents are bracing for a potentially life-threatening storm with heavy rains and powerful winds. The country's prime minister, Michael Dunkley, urged people located in low-lying areas to move to higher ground.

"This hurricane is a large storm, and we should expect at least 24 hours of storm-force winds," Dunkley said.

Hurricane Gonzalo is currently a dangerous Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds at 140 mph, but is expected to weaken somewhat to a Category 3 as it nears Bermuda on Friday.

Bermuda’s capital city Hamilton was almost empty by noon Thursday.

With most businesses boarded up in preparation for the hurricane.

Residents were buying last minute essentials from the few remaining stores still open.

Schools in Bermuda were closed Thursday afternoon ahead of the storm.

People moved their boats to safer areas:

TS Faye wrecked some of the boats here a week ago. Nobody's taking any chances this time #Bermuda #Gonzalo

Bermuda's international airport was closed Thursday night after the final flight departed the island.

If this is not your plane you are stuck on Bermuda for the hurricane

Gonzalo is expected to slam Bermuda only days after Tropical Storm Fay hit, destroying homes, knocking down trees, and damaging power lines. More than 1,500 people were still without electricity as of Thursday.

TS Fay damage a week ago here in Bermuda #Gonzalo

The last major hurricane to hit Bermuda was in 2003, when a Category 3 Hurricane Fabian battered the islands, killed four people.

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