Good afternoon Bermuda,
I’m pleased to note that Tropical Storm Alex has passed.
Following updates from all agencies, I can confirm that one person attended the hospital emergency room with a non-life-threatening storm- related injury incurred during the clean-up period.
Our essential services and emergency crews from the Parks Department and Public Works were out early this morning, clearing our roads to ensure that we were up and running as quickly as possible.
And as of this afternoon, I can confirm the following as it relates to Government’s services:
• All government offices and services have resumed and are operating asnormal.
• I can confirm that schools will reopen for in-school learning tomorrow.
• The Causeway remained open throughout thestorm.
• The L.F. Wade International Airport resumed service at 2.00 pm today, and there are flights expected to arrive later thisafternoon.
• As it relates to our cruise ships, the Norwegian Pearl, which left before the storm arrived, will return to Bermuda tomorrow morning.
• The Department of Public Transportation is carrying out the necessary inspection of Bus Routes as we speak, and updates will be provided once those inspections have been completed.
• For the ferry services, the Pink Route will resume as of the 3:45 pm trip today.
• The remainder of the Ferry Service will resume tomorrow morning on the normal weekday schedule.
• Regarding garbage collection, we have managed to pick up some of the west end trash which is on the Monday schedule. We will collect any outstanding backlog over the course of tomorrow. As a reminder, Tyne’s Bay and Marsh Folly are open should residents wish to drop off theirwaste.
• As of 2 pm today, BELCO has reported that 38 customers remained without power out of approximately 800 customers who had lost power this morning.
Before I close, I wish to just thank the entire community for their cooperation in adhering to the warnings and advisories issued by the
EMO as we prepared for Tropical Storm Alex. One thing that we can say about any storm system is that it is unpredictable.
The decisions we make are done to ensure the safety and the protection of our community, particularly our most vulnerable.
And so, as the Minister of National Security, I would rather err on the side of caution than make any decision that could put any member of our community in danger or harm’s way.
Finally, I just want to say that this is my first storm and guiding the Emergency Measures Organisation through this event.
So I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the EMO.
Particularly Dr Guishard and his team at the Bermuda Weather Service for their timely updates.
I also extend thanks to our essential services and emergency personnel from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Team, the Royal Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Service, BELCO, the Parks Department and Public Works and relevant Ministries who worked during the storm to ensure that Bermuda was well served.
Lastly, Bermuda Tropical Strom Alex is an extremely timely reminder that Hurricane Season is upon us.
And now is the time to make sure you are ready and prepared for what weather forecasters predict will be a very active few months.
Please take steps to ensure you and your family, home and property are protected this hurricane season.
Thank you.