Bermuda braced as Hurricane Imelda hits, causing widespread disruptions

Hurricane Imelda, a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 kph), made landfall over Bermuda on the night of October 1, 2025, bringing hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and damaging waves. The storm's impact led to the closure of schools, government offices, and the international airport, while approximately 100 soldiers were deployed to secure infrastructure and assist at emergency shelters.

Prior to reaching Bermuda, Imelda affected the northern Caribbean, causing deadly flooding in eastern Cuba, where two people died and over 18,000 were evacuated. In Haiti, one person was reported missing due to the floods. The storm's proximity to Hurricane Humberto exhibited the Fujiwhara Effect, marking the closest distance between two Atlantic hurricanes since 1853.

As Imelda approached, Bermuda's government took proactive measures to ensure public safety. Public schools and the international airport were closed on Wednesday, with government offices and businesses following suit by the afternoon. Minister of National Security Michael Weeks emphasized the seriousness of the threat, urging residents to finalize storm preparations by noon Wednesday.

The hurricane caused significant disruptions, including widespread power outages affecting over 17,000 customers. Damage assessments were initiated, but no injuries were reported. Despite improving conditions as the storm moved away, a tropical storm warning remained in effect, and officials continued to urge caution.

The consecutive impacts of Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda on Bermuda underscore the island's vulnerability to tropical storms and the importance of preparedness and resilient infrastructure. The swift response by Bermuda's government, including closures and deployment of military personnel, highlights the necessity of proactive measures in mitigating the effects of such natural disasters.

In the northern Caribbean, the fatalities and evacuations in Cuba and Haiti due to Imelda's flooding emphasize the broader regional challenges posed by hurricanes, particularly in areas with limited resources and infrastructure.

The Fujiwhara Effect observed between Imelda and Humberto is a rare meteorological phenomenon where two nearby cyclonic vortices orbit each other and can even merge. The occurrence of such an effect in the Atlantic, marking the closest distance between two hurricanes since 1853, is noteworthy and warrants further study to understand its implications on storm behavior and forecasting.

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory located in the North Atlantic Ocean. Known for its robust infrastructure and stringent building codes, the island has a history of effectively managing hurricane impacts. However, the back-to-back occurrences of Humberto and Imelda present unique challenges and stress the importance of continuous investment in disaster preparedness and response strategies.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted an above-normal season with 13 to 18 named storms. Of those, five to nine were forecast to become hurricanes, including two to five major hurricanes, which pack winds of 111 mph (178 kph) or greater.

While the Atlantic hurricane season is winding down, forecasters urged people to remain alert. "We expect atmospheric conditions that could support tropical storms and hurricanes well into late October and November this year," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather's lead hurricane expert.