120 mph hurricane bearing down in Bermuda

The Bermudan government warned today that Hurricane Fabian could be the worst to hit the British territory for 15 years.

Fabian’s was bearing down on the Atlantic island with 120 mph winds and was expected brush past Bermuda tomorrow night.

Public Safety Minister Randy Horton warned a slight change of direction could make Fabian worse than 1987’s Hurricane Emily, which left homes without power for week and caused more than €43.6m worth of damage.

Fabian, currently a Category Three hurricane, was already packing winds near 120 mph with higher gusts and is expected to increase strength, forecasters said.

Bermudan supermarkets were busier than usual as people stocked up with supplies.

Although Bermuda is wealthier than other islands and has better constructed buildings, some still could buckle under a strong storm.

If Fabian changes course, “very, very slightly, it could come completely over the island,” Williams said.

Five cruise ships moored in Bermuda were due to leave today, some a day earlier than planned, while the Seven Seas Navigator, which was due to arrive tomorrow, will now arrive Sunday.