What's happened
A Category 2 hurricane, Imelda, is passing over Bermuda with winds of 100 mph, causing power outages and flooding. The storm formed rapidly after affecting the Bahamas and Cuba, with forecasts indicating potential impacts on the U.S. later this week. The Atlantic hurricane season remains active through November 30.
What's behind the headline?
Imelda's rapid intensification and approach highlight the ongoing activity of the Atlantic hurricane season, which remains active until late November. The storm's path over Bermuda and nearby regions underscores the importance of preparedness in Atlantic islands and the U.S. East Coast. The recent pattern of storms, including Humberto and others that avoided landfall, is largely driven by atmospheric conditions such as wind shear and the Fujiwhara Effect, which can influence storm trajectories. The current forecast suggests Imelda will continue to pose risks of coastal flooding, power outages, and heavy rainfall, emphasizing the need for vigilance in affected areas. The season's activity, with only one storm making landfall in the U.S. so far, indicates a potentially active remainder, with implications for emergency planning and climate resilience.
What the papers say
The Independent reports on Imelda's approach and Bermuda's preparations, emphasizing the storm's rapid development and potential impacts. Al Jazeera provides detailed coverage of the storm's effects on Bermuda, including evacuations and power outages, and notes the broader Atlantic activity, including Humberto and other storms that have veered away from the U.S. coast. Both sources highlight the rarity of the Fujiwhara Effect observed this season, which has influenced storm paths and contributed to the relative lack of landfalls in the U.S. so far. The coverage underscores the ongoing risks of Atlantic hurricanes and the importance of preparedness, with forecasts indicating that the season will remain active through November.
How we got here
Imelda developed quickly after forming as a tropical storm over the Bahamas on Sunday. It intensified into a hurricane after tracking through the Bahamas and brushing Florida, bringing heavy rain and warnings across the region. Bermuda prepared by deploying soldiers and closing public services as the storm approached, following recent Atlantic activity including hurricanes Humberto and earlier storms that veered away from the U.S. coast due to high-altitude winds and the Fujiwhara Effect.
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Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 1,035 km east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina; 1,236 km south of Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia; 1,759 km northeast of Cuba, and 1,538 km due north of the