17:15 04Sep2003 Bermuda braces for powerful Hurricane Fabian

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Bermudians battened down and
cruise ships scrambled out to sea on Thursday as powerful Hurricane Fabian
headed toward the mid-Atlantic island with 120 mph (193 kph) winds.
Forecasters also raised storm warnings for parts of Florida as a
tropical weather system that could become Tropical Storm Henri headed for
the Sunshine State.
In Bermuda, residents hit the hardware stores, supermarkets and gas
stations to stock up for what emergency officials said could be the
strongest hurricane ever to hit the British colony of 62,000 people. Fabian
was expected to be near Bermuda by Friday evening.
Emergency managers told residents on the exposed south shore to abandon
or board up their homes against possible 30-foot (9-metre) waves.
There was a hurricane warning in effect for Bermuda, a thriving offshore
financial center and tourist playground. Residents were told to expect
hurricane conditions within 24 hours. Local officials said the eye of the
hurricane, around which the strongest winds are felt, could pass within 30
miles (48 km) of the island.
"It looks like the center will be very near or possibly directly over
the island," said Michelle Mainelli, a meteorologist at the U.S. National
Hurricane Center in Miami.
Long lines were reported at supermarkets, where bottled water, food and
batteries were flying off the shelves. Gas stations were crammed with
motorists fueling their cars.
"It's a madhouse. There were people lined up outside the store half an
hour before we opened this morning waiting to stock up on supplies," said
Susan Wilson, president of Masters Hardware in the capital, Hamilton.
Several cruise ships expected to stay in port at Hamilton until Friday
headed out early to outrun the storm.
Emergency managers were to meet later on Thursday to decide whether to
close schools and public transportation. Residents were urged to take in
garden furniture and surfers and swimmers were cautioned to stay out of the
water.
At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT), the center of Hurricane Fabian was 500 miles
(800 km) south of Bermuda at latitude 25.2 north and longitude 64 west, the
hurricane center said.
The storm was moving north-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph) and could pass
very close to Bermuda by Friday evening, forecasters said.
Forecasters said there was a chance the storm could weaken slightly as
it drew closer to Bermuda, but residents should be prepared for a Category 3
hurricane with winds of 111-130 mph (179-209 kph).
Such storms usually carry storm tides of 9-12 feet (2.7-3.7 metres)
above normal, can do structural damage to small residences and may destroy
small coastal buildings.
"We're urging all residents and tourists to finish their hurricane
preparations as soon as possible," Mainelli said.
Parts of Florida's Gulf Coast were under a tropical storm warning as the
swirling mass of thunderstorms that could become Henri headed east. The
warning area stretched from Englewood to Indian Pass.
At 11 a.m EDT (1500 GMT), it was centered 175 miles (282 km) southwest
of Apalachicola, at latitude 27.9 north and longitude 87.1 west. It was
drifting northeast and was expected to pick up speed. Maximum winds were
near 35 mph (56 kph).

Thursday, 04 September 2003 17:15:01RTRS [nNAJL90401] {C}ENDS