HAMILTON, Bermuda (AP) — Bermuda’s premier is warning residents they’re in for “at least 24 hours of storm force winds” and life-threatening storm surge from a Category 4 Hurricane Gonzalo.

The storm with maximum sustained winds of 140 miles-per-hour is bearing down on the tiny British territory and Premier Michael Dunkley is urging residents in low-lying areas to move to higher ground.

Gonzalo is expected to pass within 29 miles of Bermuda Friday night, close enough to be considered a direct hit.

About 1,500 homes are still without power from a tropical storm about a week ago.

A government spokesman says officials have turned a high school into a shelter, but he notes that wealthy Bermuda is known for having structures that can withstand heavy storms.

The capital of Hamilton is nearly deserted with just a few shops open for people needing last-minute essentials.

Sound:

%@AP Links

311-a-08-(Cecil Saltus, taxi driver, in AP interview)-“will be fine”-Bermuda taxi driver Cecil Saltus says there’s nothing left to do but ride out Hurricane Gonzalo. (16 Oct 2014)

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310-a-04-(Barry Shayler, shop customer, in AP interview)-“worse than Fabian”-Bermuda shop customer Barry Shayler says Hurricane Gonzalo could do a lot of damage. (refers to Hurricane Fabian, which struck Bermuda in 2003) (16 Oct 2014)

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312-r-06-(Sound of wind and surf, in Bermuda)–Sound of wind and surf in Bermuda. (16 Oct 2014)

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313-r-06-(Sound of man hammering wooden planks, on balcony glass door)–Sound of man hammering wooden planks to cover a balcony glass door. (16 Oct 2014)

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