Category 4 Hurricane Nicole Lashes Bermuda with Winds & Flooding Rain

Hurricane Nicole, which has become a Category 4 hurricane, will continue to lash Bermuda with winds and flooding rain through Thursday, according to a report issued by AccuWeather.

As a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of between 130 and 156 mph, Nicole is heading north-northeast toward Bermuda. (The AccuWeather report was issued at 1:47 a.m. eastern time).

“The worst conditions are expected to last through early Thursday afternoon as Nicole makes its closest pass to the islands,” according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Rich Jaworski.

Rain, wind and surf will build as the center of Nicole hits Bermuda, or passes dangerously close to the islands, AccuWeather said.

While Bermuda is often affected by hurricanes each year, major storms rarely pass this close, said the report, citing the National Hurricane Center which reports that only seven major hurricanes have passed within 40 nautical miles of Bermuda since records began in 1851.

AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski expects a widespread four to eight inches of rain across the islands, with locally higher amounts possible, as well as urban flooding.

“A storm surge of 6-10 feet (2-3 meters) and rough waves will bring high-water levels to coastal areas through Thursday,” Kottlowski stated in the AccuWeather report.

Wind gusts near or exceeding 120 mph can result in widespread power outage, while storm surge and rough waves will bring severe beach erosion and significant coastal flooding along the southern-facing coast, AccuWeather continued.

Nicole will move away from Bermuda into the North Atlantic on Thursday night into Friday, the report said.

This AccuWeather report was compiled by Renee Duff, AccuWeather.com meteorologist.

Source: AccuWeather

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Flood Hurricane