The Bermudan government has warned Hurricane Fabian could be the worst to hit the British territory for 15 years.
Fabian is bearing down on the Atlantic island with 120 mph winds and is expected brush past Bermuda on Friday 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 £30 million of damage.
Fabian, currently a Category Three hurricane, has winds near 120 mph, and these are expected to increase strength, forecasters said.
Bermudan supermarkets were busier than usual as people stocked up with supplies. Bermuda is wealthier than other islands and has better constructed buildings, it still could buckle under a strong storm.
Five cruise ships moored in Bermuda are due to leave today, some a day earlier than planned.