Bermuda Fares Much Better than Feared as Hurricane Swirls Past

According to Jessica Soklow, a spokeswoman for the Bermuda Tourism Board (BTB), the island sustained minimal damage after the Category 1 storm passed nearby on September 11.

Hurricane Florence brought heavy rains and sustained winds of 80 mph to 90 mph, causing power outages to about 23,000 homes and businesses, the majority of which have been restored, according to the BTB.

The airport reopened the following morning after minor cleanup was completed. In addition, according to the Government Works and Engineering department, all roads are open and passable.

The BTB said that no hotels have reported any damage and that cruise ships are expected to resume their normal operations later in the week.

While Florence still had winds strong enough to categorize it as a hurricane (75 mph), the storm was becoming extratropical, meaning it was moving over cooler waters and losing its tropical characteristics and would no longer be considered a hurricane or tropical storm.