Powerful hurricanes are synonymous with Bermuda. Undoubtedly, the worst to take aim at these shores was Hurricane Fabian which nearly made a direct hit in September 2003.

Fabian was the worst hurricane to hit the Island in nearly 80 years.

Fabian's wrath brought nearly 160 mph wind gusts, colossal storm surges, an estimated $300 million in damage and the death of four people.

The storm produced a 10-minute average wind speed of 120 mph, while a peak wind gust of 164 mph was recorded by Bermuda Harbour Radio.

The strongest of the winds lasted approximately three to four hours and while the eastern portion of the eyewall moved over the Island, winds decreased to 60 mph according to the Bermuda Weather Service.

Large waves battered the South Shore for several days, reaching heights of 25 to 35 feet at the worst of the hurricane and upon passing the Island, Fabian produced a storm surge of more than 11 feet high.

However, due to its fast motion, rainfall totals rose to only 1.82 inches. There were several unofficial reports of tornadoes as well.

Also, strong rip currents from the storm persisted for several days prior to Fabian passing Bermuda.

As a result, a handful of swimmers on the South Shore were caught in the currents and had to be rescued by lifeguards.

Fabian's winds cut power to 78 percent of the Island's electricity customers and most notably, saw the Causeway extensively damaged, temporarily isolating the east end.

Prior to Fabian, Hurricane Emily, which hit on September 25, 1987, was regarded as the most destructive in Bermuda's history next to hurricane Arlene which struck in 1963.

Emily, remembered by most as a fast-moving storm, brought wind gusts of 125 mph, caught Islanders off guard, injured dozens of people and shattered rooms at the Southampton Princess Hotel.

As a result, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital treated 111 people for broken bones which stemmed from flying debris.

Since Fabian, the strongest storm to hit the Island was Hurricane Florence which came within 50 to 60 miles west of the Island in 2006, with 90 mph winds.

A few minor injuries resulted from that system, which also affected Trinidad and Tobago, the Lesser Antilles, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.