The Latest Information on Hurricane Gonzalo

Updated Oct. 16 2:35 P.M.

Hurricane Gonzalo has now strengthened to a Category 4 as it moves towards Bermuda. As of 11 am, Bermuda is now under a Hurricane Warning.

Bermuda – The airport will be closing this evening and is expected to be closed through Saturday thus far. Major airlines (Delta, American Airlines, Jet Blue, United) have already issued waivers/hurricane policies for those who will need to change their itineraries.

Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa & Grotto Bay Beach Resort recommend that all guests due to arrive now through Saturday, Oct. 18 either cancel or reschedule their trip. The resorts will be waiving all cancellation penalties as this also applies for in-house guests that wish to leave the island before Friday.

Coco Reef Resort – There are no penalties for cancelled reservations due to a confirmed hurricane.  Rescheduling, if possible, is encouraged and accepted with no additional changes, unless the date change moves into a different seasonal time. Coco Reef will prepare the property for a hurricane ensuring that all objects not tied down are put away and/or safely secured. Lobby and restaurant windows will be boarded up for protection, and all guests will be made aware of updates and/or changes based on the current weather forecast.

Fairmont Hamilton & Fairmont South Hampton – If Guests are staying between now through Saturday Oct. 18, the following is in place: Bermuda Hotel Association Hurricane Guarantee is now in effect. Guests may cancel without penalty (including returning deposit) if they wish. That said, please encourage guest to reschedule dates up until March 31, 2014, on same terms (rates/cancellation/deposits). Guests may depart early without penalty. If deposit covers all nights, outstanding deposit balance may be refunded.

Pompano Beach Club is waiving all cancellation penalties should clients want to cancel or change dates.

Anguilla – Ports are open. The island suffered electrical poles and transformer damage which is being repaired.

Antigua – Heavy rains and hurricane-force winds shut down the island of Antigua on Monday as Tropical Storm Gonzalo swept over the island downing power lines as well as causing floods in several areas and loss of power. The airport will reported to reopen Tuesday morning at 8 a.m.

  • Hermitage Bay: Currently without power and experienced damage to the resort in which we are awaiting to hear to extent of. Guests are safe.
  • Blue Waters: Currently without power and suffered minor damage, but all guests are safe and were advised to remain in their rooms until the storm has passed. Meals were being sent to the rooms until the restaurants reopened.
  • St James Club/Verandah/ Galley Bay, Elite Island Resorts: Minor wind damage, nothing structural. All guests are safe.
  • Jumby Bay, a Rosewood Resort: Minimal landscape damage to be cleared within 24 hours.
  • Jolly Beach: Some trees down. Some pathways blocked, power being provided via generator to entire resort.

British Virgin Islands– Airport has reopened, and ferries are running as scheduled.

Puerto Rico– Storm passed to the right of the island, so resorts only suffered heavy rain. Everything is business as usual.

St. Kitts/Nevis–  Airport has reopened, and all services have resumed normal operation without incident.

St Maarten/St Martin– Sonesta Great Bay suffered water damage along with roof damage which  has forced them to close for the next two weeks.

United Airlines issued travel waivers for original travel dates Oct. 13-15, allowing customers to change flights at St. Johns, Antigua; St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles; Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, USVI; and St. Croix, USVI.

USVI-Storm passed to the left of the islands which caused some wind and heavy rain. No damage to report. Airport has reopened as of 8 A.M. today, and all flights are expected to be back on schedule with the exception of the American Airlines flight which was scheduled to depart at 8 A.M.