NavigoArmatus.com

Gonzalo's damage not as heavy as Fabian's of 2003

Thankfully, no one was killed on Bermuda from Gonzalo. Damage on the island was considerable, though appears to be much lower than that wrought by Category 3 Hurricane Fabian of 2003, the only hurricane to get its name retired exclusively because of its impact on the island of Bermuda. Fabian did $300 million in damage, making it the most expensive hurricane ever to hit the island. Fabian's storm surge destroyed the causeway connecting the airport to the rest of the island, and this causeway withstood Gonzalo's impact--though divers are scheduled to inspect its footings Saturday afternoon before reopening will occur. Damage at the airport was mostly minor (roof damage and minor flooding), and all the navigational infrastructure seems intact. The storm surge damaged the airport's weather sensors, though, according to the Bermuda Weather Service. According to the island's utility provider, BELCO, about 35,700 of the island's 36,000 metered homes were without power at the height of Gonzalo. Virtually all of the island's major roads were blocked by downed trees and power lines.

Gonzalo is steadily weakening as it speeds north-northeastwards towards Canada. Infrared and visible satellite loops on Saturday morning showed that Gonzalo had lost its well-defined eye, and the storm had been stretched into an elliptical shape by high wind shear. Gonzalo is still expected to have Category 1 strength winds when it makes its closest pass by Southeast Newfoundland, predicted to occur between 4 am - 6 am EDT Sunday by the 00Z Saturday runs of the GFS and European models. In their 5 am EDT Saturday Wind Probability Forecast, NHC gave Cape Race, Newfoundland a 57% chance of experiencing tropical storm-force winds, and a 1% chance of hurricane-force winds. Heavy rains from ex-Gonzalo are likely to be the main threat to Newfoundland.