HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Hurricane Nicole, packing winds of 100 miles per hour (mph), is heading towards Bermuda on Wednesday, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) has said.

The NHC informed that the 14th named storm of this year’s Atlantic Hurricane season was 330 miles, south, south west of the British Overseas Territory.

“Nicole is moving toward the north-northwest near seven mph but a turn toward the north with an increase in forward speed is expected later today. An additional increase in forward speed with a turn toward the north-northeast is forecast on Thursday. On the forecast track, the core of Hurricane Nicole will near Bermuda on Thursday,” the NHC said.

It said maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph with higher gusts.

“Some strengthening is possible during the next 36 hours, and Nicole could be near major hurricane strength by later today,” NHC said, warning that a dangerous storm surge is expected to produce coastal flooding in Bermuda.  Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

It said swells associated with Nicole will affect Bermuda during the next few days.

“These swells will create dangerous surf conditions and rip currents,” it added.

On Tuesday, National Security Minister of Bermuda Jeff Baron warned residents to take the storm seriously and urged people to secure their homes and ensure seniors and vulnerable people in their areas are prepared.

“I want to stress that it is important residents take all necessary precautions. Please stay indoors during the storm. That means no kite surfing and no swimming in our south shore waters.

“Conditions are just too dangerous, and we cannot risk the safety of our emergency personnel.

“I want to encourage Bermudians to stay and band together in unity as we are known to do.”

Baron announced that public schools will close at noon on Wednesday and remain closed through Thursday and Friday.

The Causeway, a low-lying bridge linking the east end, where the airport is situated, with the rest of Bermuda, will close at 11 p.m (local time) on Wednesday and is expected to remain closed for around 18 hours.

Four people were swept to their deaths while trying to drive across the bridge when Hurricane Fabian smashed into the island in 2003.

Bermuda’s only brush with a storm this season came last month when Tropical Storm Karl dumped around four inches of rain on the island but it caused no serious damage.