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Hurricane bears down on Bermuda Hurricane thunders across Bermuda
(about 9 hours later)
Hurricane Florence has strengthened further as it heads towards the Bermuda islands in the Atlantic. Hurricane Florence has unleashed strong winds as it passed across the Bermuda Islands in the Atlantic.
The sixth storm of the season, Florence reached hurricane strength early on Sunday. It now has maximum winds of about 130km/h (80mph). The sixth storm of the season, Florence's winds reached 150km/h (90mph) as she stripped thousands of homes of power.
It is expected to pass a short distance to the west of the tiny UK territory on Monday - although it is not expected to strengthen again before then. The hurricane sheared rooftops from buildings and knocked out windows in the tiny UK territory.
Bermuda residents have been boarding up windows and moving boats. Forecasters said Hurricane Florence was already causing strong rip currents along sections of the eastern US coast.
At 0900 GMT, Hurricane Florence was centred about 125km (80 miles) west-southwest of Bermuda, moving north at 19km/h (12mph), the US National Hurricane Center said. At 1800 GMT, Hurricane Florence was 150km north-north-west of Bermuda, moving north at 22km/h, the US National Hurricane Centre said.
Airport closed 'Worst is over'
According to the centre Bermuda is likely to experience 5-10cm (two to four inches) of rain and heavy sea surges as a result of Florence's arrival. According to the centre, Bermuda is likely to experience 2.5-7.6 cm (one to three inches) of rain and heavy sea surges as a result of Florence's winds.
The authorities have shut the airport and put emergency workers on standby. Authorities said that there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries as a result of the hurricane.
Florence: Your pictures "The public is encouraged to stock up on normal hurricane supplies and to secure their homes, lawn furniture and any other loose items which could be affected by high winds," Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Derrick Burgess said on Saturday. Florence: Your pictures
Some tourists have left, but the vast majority are reported to be staying put. "The storm has passed over its closest point of approach. It looks like the worst is over," said Kimberly Zuill, of the Bermuda Weather Service.
The government insists it has the situation under control. Some tourists left their resorts, but the vast majority remained hunkered down in hotels and resorts.
"We are definitely in for a prolonged period of tropical storm force winds. However, I can assure you we are prepared," Mr Burgess said.
Last year a record-breaking number of hurricanes formed over the Atlantic, the most-damaging of which was Hurricane Katrina which hit New Orleans and other parts of the US Gulf Coast.Last year a record-breaking number of hurricanes formed over the Atlantic, the most-damaging of which was Hurricane Katrina which hit New Orleans and other parts of the US Gulf Coast.
We'd like to see your pictures of how you're preparing for Hurricane Florence. Send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk
We'd like to see your pictures of how you've fared during Hurricane Florence. Send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk
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