MIAMI — Hurricane Nicole is heading toward Bermuda as a Category 2 storm.

Nicole’s maximum sustained winds increased early Wednesday to near 155 kph. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says some strengthening is possible and Nicole could be near major hurricane strength later in the day.

The storm is centred about 535 kilometres south-southwest of Bermuda, where a hurricane warning is in effect, and is moving north-northwest near 11 kph.

UPDATE:

Bermuda’s government dispatched crews to clear roads and engineers to inspect infrastructure as the British territory moved to recovery quickly from Hurricane Nicole, which battered the island as a Category 3 storm.

SHurricane Nicole snapped trees, peeled off roofs and flooded homes as it roared across the island on Thursday. The storm also damaged boats that broke away from their moorings and knocked out power to more than 27,000 customers who live on the island, which has sturdy infrastructure and is accustomed to heavy weather.

Nicole has strengthened to a Category 4 storm late Wednesday as it approached Bermuda but lost steam overnight.