(CNN) — Tropical storm Florence intensified into a Category 1 hurricane Sunday as it cut a path through the Atlantic and headed toward Bermuda with winds gusting up to 75 miles per hour, National Hurricane Center forecasters said Sunday.
The storm’s center was about 360 miles south of the tiny British territory, moving north-northwest, the NHC said. Forecasters warn of storm force winds could reach 260 miles from its epicenter.
Bermuda residents should be making preparations to protect their lives and property as the storm system inched closer to the small island chain, The Bermuda Weather Service warned earlier.
NHC forecasters kept a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning in effect for Bermuda, which means hurricane and tropical storm conditions are expected within 24 to 36 hours. A hurricane warning will likely be issued later Sunday.