Hurricane Imelda swept across Bermuda early Thursday, forcing the closure of schools, government offices, and the island’s international airport as authorities urged residents to stay indoors.

Once a Category 2 storm, Imelda weakened slightly as it neared the island but still delivered sustained winds of around 80 mph (130 kph) and torrential rains of 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm). The storm toppled trees, downed power lines, and left more than 17,000 homes without electricity at the height of the impact.

To support the response, Bermuda’s government deployed 100 soldiers to clear roads, protect infrastructure, and assist with emergency shelters. Despite the widespread outages and damage, officials reported no deaths or serious injuries.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect as Imelda pulls away, with dangerous surf and rip currents expected to continue battering the island’s coastlines. Cleanup and damage assessments are already underway.

“Bermuda has weathered another storm with resilience,” a government spokesperson said, urging residents to remain cautious until conditions fully stabilize.