Hurricane Fabian picked up speed as it churned toward Bermuda, while businesses boarded up offices and islanders rushed to prepare for what could be the worst storm to hit in years.

Fabian was expected to slam into Bermuda by late Friday. Bermuda's government closed all of its offices and issued a hurricane warning Thursday ahead of the Category 3 storm.

Forecasters urged residents on the island chain to protect "life and property." Several cruise ships that were docked in Bermuda left early, and others were taking different routes to avoid the storm. All Friday flights into Bermuda were canceled.

Businesses sent staff home on Thursday and boarded up offices, while islanders withdrew money from banks and formed long lines at gas stations.

"Secure your residences, boats, and any moveable objects that may place you or your family in danger," Bermuda Premier Alex Scott said.

At 2 a.m. EDT Friday, Fabian was about 265 miles south of Bermuda, an island chain about 900 miles east of Charleston, S.C. The hurricane was moving north at 17 mph with sustained winds of about 125 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center  in Miami.

Although it is one of the wealthiest islands with hurricane-resistant homes and a sturdy infrastructure, Bermuda hasn't seen a Category 3 hurricane since 1963, when Arlene destroyed crops and homes.

The last powerful hurricane to hit the British territory was Hurricane Emily in 1993, a Category 1 storm that tore off roofs, left homes without power for weeks and caused more than $50 million damage.

Forecasters said Fabian could knock some buildings off their foundations, damage crops and cause widespread flooding and erosion.

"It's a powerful hurricane and there's no indication it's going to fall apart," said Lixion Avila, a meteorologist at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Forecasters worried the storm could produce powerful tornadoes. Islands could lose power for days or weeks, said Gary Madeiros with the Bermuda Electric Light Co.

The government has opened up schools for use as evacuation shelters and urged people to leave 2,000 homes in flood-vulnerable areas.

Public Safety Minister Randy Horton also warned residents on Bermuda's south shore to either vacate their homes or board up properties.

Bartender Tanya Bartel said she was taking Fabian seriously and had duct-taped the windows of her north shore apartment.

"It's going to be close, if not a direct hit," she said. "If you have enough beer, ice, candles and cards to get through the weekend, you should be OK. The big talk is, 'do people have enough beer?'"

Bermuda's building codes specify that homes must be built with walls at least eight inches thick, and must be able to withstand 150 mph gusts and sustained winds of 110 mph.

Former U.S. presidential candidate Ross Perot has a home in Bermuda, as do actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

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