The Minister of National Security, Sen. Jeffrey Baron, JP, convened an Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) meeting this afternoon in preparation for Tropical Depression Karl.
Current Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) reports have Karl's closest point of approach to Bermuda at 88 nautical miles at 3:00 am Saturday morning, although forecasts remain uncertain.
The BWS also advised that Karl is currently a tropical depression with tropical storm force winds which extend from the centre into our region.
Today’s EMO meeting, co-chaired by Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva, had in attendance Acting Governor Ginny Ferson, and key representatives from the Bermuda Regiment, the Bermuda Police Service, the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service, the Ministries of Public Works, Tourism Development and Transport, Social Development and Sport together with representatives from BELCO and the Bermuda Hospitals Board.
Issues discussed included ensuring that Government and relevant agencies were in step with emergency guidelines and were adequately prepared in advance of the storm.
Residents are urged to make preparations tonight in anticipation of the storm, taking in outdoor furniture and topping up hurricane supplies. Boat owners are encouraged to secure their vessels this evening ahead of increased winds.
Minister Baron said, “Today's meeting was productive and served to confirm that all relevant agencies are prepared in the event of any change in the current forecast. Any system passing this close to us should not be taken lightly and the old saying 'better safe than sorry' should be our guide. Preparations should be made and all watches and warnings followed. Our aim is to provide as much information as possible to the public but overall we want people to be safe and prepared. Tomorrow's early forecast will dictate many of our next steps but in the meantime residents can stay abreast of developments on www.weather.bmhttp://www.weather.bm.”
The EMO will issue another advisory tomorrow afternoon.