MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bermuda braces for storm Florence

At 2100 GMT Tropical Storm Florence was 745km (465 miles) south of Bermuda, moving north-west at 20km/h, the US National Hurricane Center said.

People across the British territory have been preparing for the storm, boarding up windows and moving boats.

This year's Atlantic hurricane season has produced just one hurricane so far.

Hurricane Ernesto passed by Haiti last month, but it lost strength and returned to tropical storm status before it reached the US East Coast.

Last year a record-breaking number of hurricanes formed over the Atlantic, the most-damaging of which was Hurricane Katrina which hit New Orleans and other parts of the US Gulf Coast.

According to the US hurricane centre Bermuda is likely to experience 13-20cm (five to eight inches) of rain and heavy sea surges as a result of Florence's arrival.

"The public is encouraged to stock up on normal hurricane supplies and to secure their homes, lawn furniture and any other loose items which could be affected by high winds," Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Derrick Burgess said.

Bermuda's only airport was set to close at 2200 (0100 GMT) and boatyards and marinas across the island have been secured.

Some tourists have left, but the vast majorities are reported to be staying put.

The authorities insist that they have the situation under control.

"We are definitely in for a prolonged period of tropical storm force winds. However, I can assure you we are prepared," Mr Burgess said.