Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks, JP, MP, held a media briefing concerning Hurricane Lee.
"Good afternoon Bermuda,
This has undoubtedly been an incredibly busy hurricane season.
With back-to-back storms last week, I can truly appreciate that our residents are feeling hurricane weary.
But now is not the time to become complacent.
Our island has a rich history of resilience in the face of natural challenges. And I expect that we will rise to the challenge in facing any potential threats related to Hurricane Lee.
As of the noonday forecast Hurricane Lee is just southeast of us near the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, and has the potential to make its way towards our general area.
I can assure the public that the Emergency Measures Organisation, and the Ministry of National Security are taking this storm very seriously. The EMO will be meeting on Monday to make the necessary preparations concerning Hurricane Lee and will issue updates as they become available.
The Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) has been closely monitoring its path, and based on their forecasts, we anticipate that Hurricane Lee will be making its approach near Bermuda sometime next week.
Hurricane Lee is not to be taken lightly. It is a large and dangerous category 5 hurricane. Here are the latest updates regarding Hurricane Lee:
The closest point of approach within the next 72 hours is expected to be on Monday, September 11th, at 12 p.m. when the hurricane is expected to be located around 575 nautical miles to our south.
Lee was moving west North West at 11 knots with maximum winds of 135 knots with gusts of up to 165 knots.
We will be in a better place to advise about public services including transportation, the airport and the Causeway next week as the forecast becomes clearer."