Hurricane Igor swirls toward Bermuda

The Category 2 storm was located about 360 miles (580 kms) south of the tiny British overseas territory at 5 pm (2100 GMT). The US National Hurricane Center said Igor was on a path to reach Bermuda late on Sunday, but warned tropical storm weather would hit the island later on Saturday.

"Igor is expected to remain a dangerous hurricane as it approaches Bermuda," the Miami-based hurricane center said.

A hurricane warning was in effect for Bermuda, a wealthy hub for the global insurance industry and one of the world's most isolated yet densely populated islands.

The Bermuda Weather Service forecast that Igor's center would pass over or near the island, and it would cause pounding waves and heavy rainfall before making what it called a "direct hit" late on Sunday or early on Monday.

Most stores and restaurants in the capital of Hamilton were boarded up and many residents were buying up supplies like gas, batteries, food and candles.

"The shutters are up, I've put tape across the windows and I've got a lot of buckets ready," said Eddie DeSilva, a 64-year-old cleaner.

Bermuda's buildings are some of the best-constructed in the world, weather forecasters and analysts say, which could help mitigate any storm damage.

Igor had sustained winds of 100 mph (160 kph), with hurricane-force winds extending out for 90 miles (150 km), the hurricane center said.

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