Bermuda braces for 'dangerous' hurricane

The British territory of Bermuda hunkered down overnight as Hurricane Nicole rapidly strengthened into a major Category 4 storm and took aim at the tiny island in the northern Atlantic Ocean.

The US National Hurricane Center in Miami called Nicole an "extremely dangerous" storm and urged islanders to rush preparations for its powerful rain and winds. It said Nicole should pass near Bermuda on Thursday morning. The storm was located about 165 kilometers southwest of Bermuda early on Thursday morning. It had maximum sustained winds of 215 kph and was moving north-northeast at 24 kph.

Rains were already hitting Bermuda and authorities on Wednesday ordered schools and government offices closed, and asked people to remain indoors.