"This afternoon Bermuda sits under Fabian's Eye Wall as we experience the worst of conditions that will persist into the evening," the Bermuda Weather Service said.

But islanders heaved a sigh of relief as the massive eye of the large and potentially dangerous storm appeared set to move away. It also was expected to weaken as it moved over colder water.

While a gradual improvement was expected overnight, the weather service told residents that until then they should expect more "hurricane winds, thunderstorms, heavy surf, storm surge and possible tornadoes".

Authorities urged people to remain indoors until the storm leaves Bermuda.

Sustained winds packing a whopping 189 kilometers (117 miles) per hour were recorded, with one gust reaching as much as 213 kilometers (132 miles) an hour.

As its wall moved over Bermuda, the eye of the hurricane was 50 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of the island group at 2100 GMT.

The eye was moving north, and expected to turn to the north-northeast later in the evening. "On this track ... Fabian will be gradually moving away from Bermuda and weather conditions will improve tonight," said Lixion Avila, of the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), which has been tracking the weather system.

He said hurricane force winds extended up to 185 kilometers (115 miles) from the center of the storm.

Sustained winds reached 195 kilometers (120 miles) an hour, but some weakening was forecast by Saturday.

Avila said Bermuda was experiencing coastal surge flooding two to three meters (six to 10 feet) above normal tide levels ... along with large and dangerous battering waves."

Bermuda's Public Safety Minister, Randy Horton, warned earlier that the hurricane could be the worst ever to hit Bermuda, located 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) southeast of New York.

Meanwhile, tropical storm Henri headed toward Florida from the Gulf of Mexico with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers (45 miles) per hour.

At 2100 GMT, the center of the storm was located 120 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Cedar Key, Florida

"The center is expected to reach the Gulf Coast of Florida overnight," the NHC said, adding that heavy rains and flooding could be expected. It also warned of the possibility of isolated tornadoes late Friday in parts of central and north Florida.

TERRA.WIRE