Florence intensified into the second hurricane of the Atlantic season today
as it headed for Bermuda, where residents installed storm shutters and hauled their yachts onto beaches.
Florence is expected to reach the tiny British territory tomorrow, according to the National Hurricane Centre in Miami but it is too early to tell whether it will make a direct hit.
The storm was a Category One hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 80 mph with higher gusts. Florence was expected to become a Category Two hurricane as it passes Bermuda, the hurricane centre said.
Bermuda issued a hurricane warning. The government urged its 65,000 residents to take precautions and volunteers were mobilised. Bermuda is expected to get 5 to 8 inches of rain, with up to 10 inches possible in some areas.