Large hurricane threatens Bermuda

MIAMI (AFP) Sep 05, 2003
A "large and severe" Hurricane Fabian, was likely to slam the Atlantic Ocean island of Bermuda Friday, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said, urging residents of the British dependency to batten down.

The powerful storm packed winds of 195 kilometers (120 miles) per hour with higher gusts.

At 1500 GMT, the center of the hurricane was 180 kilometers (110 miles) south-southwest of Bermuda and moving north at 28 kilometers (17 miles) per hour.

"On this track the inner core of dangerous Hurricane Fabian will be passing near of over Bermuda later today," said NHC forecaster Lixion Avila.

He said Bermuda could expect storm surge flooding and "dangerous battering waves", while large swells could be expected along parts of the US east coast.

"Fabian is a large and severe hurricane. Preparations to protect life and proterty should be rushed to completion," said Avila.

Meanwhile, tropical storm Henri headed toward Florida from the Gulf of Mexico.

At 1200 GMT, the center of the storm was located 160 kilometers (100 miles) west-northwest of St Petersburg, Florida and was expected to make landfall during the night, the NHC said.

TERRA.WIRE