Experts are predicting Hurricane Igor could be as serious as Fabian was seven years ago.

Government advised that Bermuda has not seen a hurricane as severe as Igor since Hurricane Fabian, while Nasa has called it "a monstrous storm" and the Bermuda Weather Service has said people should prepare for a "virtual direct hit".

On September 4, 2003 the Category 4 Hurricane Fabian hit Bermuda directly leaving four people dead and millions of dollars worth of damage.

Hurricane Igor, which is predicted to be a large category two, is expected to pass less than 50 miles east of the Island this weekend.

At 9pm today, the Bermuda Weather Service officially said Igor was a threat to Bermuda and was forecast to be about 15 miles southeast of the Island by 11pm on Sunday when it could be as high as a Category 3 storm.

The Emergency Measures Organisation had their first meeting yesterday and has urged residents to prepare for a serious hit.

A spokeswoman said: "The Island can expect tropical storm force winds sometime around midnight Saturday and even worse conditions late Sunday around midnight when the current forecast is for a direct hit.

"Residents are advised to take the warnings seriously as the Island has not experienced such an intense storm since Hurricane Fabian hit Bermuda in 2003."

Bermuda Weather Service meteorologist Ken Smith said Bermuda should be prepared for a "virtually a direct hit", although he added that there was no way to predict if the eye of the storm would pass over the Island at the moment.

Home Affairs Minister David Burch gave a frank assessment of the situation."The Bermuda Weather Service will provide updates as required and I strongly encourage everyone to prepare" he said. "In fact you should be getting prepared now — if you wait until Saturday evening, it will be too late." In light of the growing threat Premier Ewart Brown has decided to cancel a planned trip to the US to sign an agreement between Government and Howard University for psychiatric services on Island.

"Our government is monitoring Hurricane Igor closely and intends to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our people," he said.

As of press time last night winds were expected to reach 50 knots in an east to southeast direction by Sunday. They are expected to increase to hurricane force winds by 6 p.m. and continue through the night.

The EMO, which Minister Burch has said is the "official voice of the hurricane" released a statement saying: "If the Island sustains a direct hit as is the current forecast, it also means 90-knot sustained winds with gusts above 115 knots or 132 miles per hour; coastline areas can expect storm surges of five to seven feet above normal tide levels; seas inside the reef are expected to rise nine to 12 feet and outside the reef, there will be waves of 20 — 30 feet. The hurricane is also expected to drop as much as five inches of rain on the Island."

Meanwhile, at press time last night, Mr. Smith of the Bermuda Weather Service estimated the hurricane's diameter was 700 miles. "Igor is a Category 3 as of now, going into Category 4 and going down to Category 2 by the time it reaches us," he said. "It's hard to say at this point, but the closest will probably be mid-evening on Sunday."

He said residents should be prepared for bad weather as early as Friday, with winds expecting to reach gale force by Saturday.

"We're looking at an onset of tropical storm winds on Saturday night and hurricane force winds much of Sunday," he said. "A Category 2 puts it in the strength of 83 to 95 knots or 96 to 110 miles per hour. People should anticipate a causeway closure, probably on Saturday night, possibly until midday on Monday."

As of this morning, a small craft warning has been issued, with south-easterly swells building and seas increasing inside the reef two to three feet.

Rough to very rough swells are predicted for Friday, with high swells shifting to the south by Saturday.

Showers are expected for Friday, turning to heavy rain throughout the weekend, plus thunder and poor visibility.

The EMO said Government Ministries, the Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service and the Bermuda Police Service are all in a state of readiness for the hurricane.The Royal Gazette will update its website throughout the day with Hurricane Igor information go to www.theroyalgazette.bm For the public weather forecast dial 977 and latest warnings and tropical storm information dial 9773.

For more information go to www.stormpulse.com or the National Hurricane Centre www.nhc.noaa.gov or the Bermuda Weather Service www.weather.bm