Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/16548
8B – Daily News – Monday, September 20, 2010 Igor nears Bermuda as Category 1 hurricane HAMILTON, Bermu- da (AP) — Fierce waves pounded the breakwaters and shores of Bermuda on Sunday, straining yacht moorings and battering oceanfront hotels as a weakened Hurricane Igor lashed the wealthy British enclave. Bermudians battened down their homes in pelt- ing rain to wait out Igor, which was barely a Cate- gory 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph). Some storm-sea- soned islanders ventured outside to gawk at the 15- foot (5-meter) surf or to triple-tie boat moorings even as officials warned them to stay indoors. ‘‘We are urging resi- dents to please go home and stay in until it is all over,’’ said government spokeswoman Beverle Lottimore. Those who did venture outside were met with howling winds, and gusts of hurricane force were reported by midday. Flooding was reported in low-lying areas and streets in downtown Hamilton, the capital, were covered in several inches of water and lit- tered with tree branches and other debris. Igor’s eye was expect- ed to pass over or very close to Bermuda late Sunday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. But with hurricane-force winds extending up to 90 miles (150 kilometers) from the storm’s eye, even a near-miss could cause substantial damage. The storm was expect- ed to veer northeast — away from the United States — after passing Bermuda. But forecasters said it would continue causing high surf and strong rip currents along the U.S. eastern seaboard. Most tourists hopped on flights home before the airport closed Saturday afternoon, but Elaine and Brian LaFleur of New Bedford, Massachusetts, said they actually changed the date of their flight so they would make it to Bermuda in advance of Igor. They wanted a new experience for their 28th trip to the island. ‘‘We’ve done every- thing else on this island, but we’ve never experi- enced a hurricane,’’ said Elaine LaFleur, 62. The couple’s original itinerary had them arriv- ing Sunday but they flew in Friday. Brian LeFleur, 66, said the couple was staying busy indoors playing games on their iPad. He had hoped to watch Sun- day football but the cable television at their hotel in downtown Hamilton lost its signal. Bermuda’s power utili- ty reported that roughly 19,500 customers were without electricity by Sunday evening on the British territory of 68,000 inhabitants. Some Bermudians were optimistic that the weakened Igor, which was downgraded from a Category 2 hurricane overnight, would spare the Atlantic territory seri- ous damage. ‘‘We prayed that the storm would be down- graded, and it looks like our prayers have been answered,’’ said Fred Swan, a 52-year-old teacher. But as the hurricane bore down, most islanders hunkered down in their homes and listened to the howling winds and crack- ing thunder outside. – Thank You – thanks to the generosity of these local businesses & individuals. • ROSE HABLITZEL, ENROLLED AGENT • RED BLUFF INTERIORS • LP BUILDING PRODUCTS • STATE FARM INS, KEITH THOMAS • TEHAMA ESTATES • CALIFORNIA WALNUT CO., INC. • AIRPORT AUTO REPAIR • KAY STEPHENS, MD • QRC D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 • GREENWASTE OF TEHAMA • BRETNEY SUTTERFIELD • HOYT-COLE CHAPEL OF THE FLOWERS • TEHAMA COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS • SUSANNE WHALEN, DMD INC • PLACER TITLE CO. Through the Newspapers in Education program, area classrooms receive the Red Bluff Daily News every day NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION Please help sponsor a classroom subscription Call Kathy at (530) 527-2151 to find out how. D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY THE V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5