Which 2003 hurricane passed over Bermuda as a major hurricane? Hurricane Fabian.
Hurricane Fabian passed just west of Bermuda on September 5, 2003, while still a major hurricane. Its eyewall moved over the island, and the storm brought hurricane-force winds, a damaging storm surge, and destructive waves. Fabian’s center did not cross directly over the island, but its close passage produced effects comparable to a direct hit.
Fabian strengthened rapidly after forming from a tropical wave that emerged from western Africa. It became a hurricane on August 30 and reached Category 4 intensity on September 1, with peak winds near 145 mph. As it moved northward, it weakened somewhat but remained powerful when it reached Bermuda.
The storm caused about $300 million in damage on the island and nine deaths overall, including four people swept away by storm surge while crossing a causeway. Fabian was Bermuda’s strongest hurricane since 1963 and became the first deadly hurricane there in the satellite era. The distractors occurred in different years or did not make this notable Bermuda passage.