Hurricanes & Bermuda
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, and most storms that affect Bermuda come between August and October. Bermuda is a small target in a big ocean, so most storms pass well away from the island, but every few years one comes close. When it does, Bermuda is one of the best-prepared places in the Atlantic: houses are built of stone and concrete with sturdy roofs, the island has decades of experience, and life usually returns to normal within a day or two.
Bermuda and hurricanes
A strong hurricane (Category 2 or above) passes within about 25 miles of Bermuda roughly once every 10 to 12 years. Some recent storms:
| Storm | What happened |
|---|---|
| Fabian, September 2003 | The most damaging storm in living memory, with winds of over 120 mph. Four people lost their lives on the Causeway. |
| Gonzalo, October 2014 | A direct hit that left most of the island without power for several days. |
| Paulette, September 2020 | The eye passed over the island; only minor damage was reported. |
| Ernesto, August 2024 | Made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane. Many homes lost power for a time, but damage was very limited. |
If a storm threatens during your stay
- We will be in touch. We watch the forecasts closely and will contact you well before any storm arrives, with advice on what to expect.
- Your safety comes first. If we think another of our units is safer for the storm, we may move you there.
- Flights and transport. The airport closes while a hurricane passes, so flights may be cancelled or changed; contact your airline. Buses and ferries stop running before a storm and restart once it is safe.
- Shops and restaurants close early on the day before a storm. Stock up on food, water and anything you need in good time.
Hurricane preparedness
Before the storm
- Follow the official forecasts from the Bermuda Weather Service and announcements from the Government.
- Charge your phones and power banks, and keep a torch handy: power cuts are common during a storm.
- Have drinking water, snacks and any medicines you need for a day or two.
- Bring in or tie down anything that could blow away: beach towels, chairs, kayaks and paddle boards. We will secure the outdoor furniture.
- Keep your passport, travel documents and insurance details together and dry.
During the storm
- Stay indoors, away from windows, until the storm has completely passed. The calm of the eye can be followed by strong winds from the other direction.
- Do not go to the beach or swim: storm surge, big waves and rip currents are dangerous for days before and after a hurricane.
After the storm
- Watch out for fallen trees, power lines and debris, and do not touch any fallen line.
- Wait for the all-clear before driving or walking about; the roads are cleared remarkably quickly.
Our hurricane cancellation policy
1. Policy objective
This policy outlines the conditions under which bookings with Watford Studios may be cancelled due to the threat or impact of a hurricane, as defined by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), and details the associated customer rights and company responsibilities.
2. Triggering events
Cancellations under this policy will be triggered by the following NHC-issued advisories or official local actions related to a hurricane:
- Hurricane Watch or Warning: when the NHC or relevant authorities issue a Hurricane Watch or Hurricane Warning for Bermuda or for the customer’s place of departure within 7 days before the scheduled arrival date.
- Evacuation orders: when the Bermuda Government issues a mandatory evacuation order for the Watford Studios location.
- Severe storm impacts: official confirmation of significant storm impacts that make the Watford Studios locations unsafe or inaccessible, such as widespread power outages or significant damage.
3. Communication
- Customer notification: in the event of a cancellation due to a hurricane threat, Watford Studios will make reasonable efforts to notify affected customers by email, phone or text message, at least 7 days before the arrival date where possible.
- Public announcements: the most up-to-date information about potential cancellations or service interruptions will be on our website.
4. Customer options
If a booking is cancelled due to a qualifying hurricane event, customers will be offered one of the following options:
- Full refund: a full refund of the booking fee paid for the cancelled stay. Please note we are not responsible for refunding the VRBO guest service fee.
- Rescheduling: the option to reschedule the stay for a later date, subject to availability.
5. Limitations
- Predictive threats: this policy does not apply to cancellations based on forecast probabilities or early storm predictions alone. Cancellations are triggered by official NHC advisories and actions.
- Force majeure: this policy is a limited exception to the standard terms and conditions, covered under force majeure clauses.
6. How to request a cancellation or reschedule
Please contact us through VRBO (if you booked through VRBO) or at [email protected] with your booking details.
7. Policy review
This policy will be reviewed annually or as needed, in consultation with NHC advisories and government regulations, to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.
Official information
- Bermuda Weather Service: forecasts, tropical updates and storm warnings for Bermuda.
- Government of Bermuda: emergency announcements and storm updates.
- US National Hurricane Center: tracks and advisories for every Atlantic storm.