Following a meeting this morning with the Emergency agencies who were at COMOPS overnight, I can confirm the following:
The Causeway is closed and will remain closed until further notice. Structural engineers are currently examining the surface of the causeway and will then conduct an underwater assessment.
Government Offices will remain closed today.
All public schools will also remain closed today.
The public is asked to stay off the roads and give the emergency crews the time needed to continue clearing the roads. Along many roads there are power lines hanging dangerously low and the public is urged to stay inside. The clearing will be faster if crews are allowed to work without interruptions by vehicles moving in the areas they are working.
Emergency agencies conducted an island-wide assessment and removed large trees which had been uprooted during the hurricane and were blocking main roads.
BELCO has reported that more than 28,000 customers (80%) are without electricity. Crews were deployed at first light and are currently assessing circuits within their division.
Once the assessment has been completed, restoration of main lines, critical infrastructure and institutions will begin. Priorities will remain with emergencies ensuring the safety of the public and BELCO crews.
The Department of Parks and the Royal Bermuda Regiment together with the Department of Works and Engineering have been clearing the roads to make them passable. Where possible the entire road was cleared however in some cases only one lane was made available pending the arrival of equipment to move large trees.
The Bermuda Weather Service has indicated that Hurricane Humberto has moved into the distant north Atlantic waters and is no longer impacting Bermuda.
The EMO will meet at 10am and I will receive a detailed briefing from each agency, including the shelter, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Department of Public Transportation, Marine and Ports, Tynes Bay and the Ministry of Education.
Please check on your neighbours and the elderly.
I will provide the next briefing at 11am.