worst for years.

In fact the Colorado State University professor predicts a repeat of 1989, the last time a hurricane hit Bermuda.

In 1989, Hurricane Dean caused hundreds of thousands of dollars damage when it brushed by the Island, bringing winds of 86 m.p.h. with gusts reaching 110 m.p.h.

This year Bermuda has escaped hurricanes and tropical storms which have hit the United States.

Hurricane Andrew, which caused devastation in Florida and Louisiana and claimed 55 lives in South Florida, did not come close.

Hurricanes Bonnie and Charlie had no effect and while Hurricane Frances formed close to Bermuda, in late October, it moved away before fading out after two days.

Dr. Gray predicts that next year's hurricanes and storms have the potential to causing 50 percent more damage than 1992 in the Atlantic Ocean region.

In November 1991, Dr. Gray had forecast the four hurricanes this year in the Atlantic Ocean. This follows eight years of predicting, almost exactly, how bad the hurricane season would be.

He said: "Using prediction signals we project a somewhat above average Atlantic hurricane season for 1993. Next year should be more typical of the more active recent hurricane seasons of 1988 and 1989.

"This will be a change from the generally inactive conditions, except for Hurricane Andrew, of the last two seasons of 1991 and 1992.'' Next year, Dr. Gray has predicted six hurricanes, lasting a total of 25 days in the Atlantic area. This compares to four over 16 days this year.

He also predicts Hurricane Destruction Potential estimated from the maximum wind period for every six hour period of the hurricane. In 1993 the Hurricane Destruction Potential could be 75 compared to this year's 50, which was mainly made up of the South Florida destruction.

Executive Officer for the Naval Oceanography Command Facility, Lt. Chris Kent said: "We have escaped the worst this year, but there is always next year.

"It is pot luck really. We do not get involved in predictions like Dr. Gray, but he is no crackpot, he is seen as an expert all over the world.'' Hurricane Andrew was significantly the worst event of a quiet year as far as the Atlantic Ocean was concerned.

South Florida was lashed with winds that may have gusted stronger than 200 m.p.h. Most wind measuring devices, including the one at the hurricane centre, were destroyed in the storm.

Andrew killed 55 people in Florida, Louisiana and the Bahamas, and left 250,000 homeless but even that was less than officials would have expected, given the havoc the storm wrought.

Andrew was described as a miles-wide tornado, shredding South Dade with vicious winds -- but the fast-moving storm did not carry much rain, and the area was spared serious flooding from the storm surge that officials feared would be the major killer when "The Big One'' finally came.

Damages are still being tallied, but the storm's cost could be as much as $30 billion, making it the nation's most expensive natural disaster. Hurricane Hugo only tore up $7 billion in property three years ago when it hit South Carolina.