Hurricane Frances adds muscle

LUQUILLO, Puerto Rico – Hurricane Frances brushed Puerto Rico with pounding surf and blustery winds Tuesday as its powerful vortex swirled offshore on a path for the Bahamas and the southeastern United States.

Frances strengthened to a dangerous Category 4 hurricane Tuesday, with sustained winds up to 140 mph. Many Puerto Ricans remained in their homes and prepared to ride out the winds and rains on the fringes of the hurricane.

Though little damage was expected in the U.S. territory, many offices and schools were closed. Courts canceled session, and all 18 casinos in Puerto Rico were closed because government inspectors were sent home.

Offices and schools also were closed in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where the hurricane brought rains and gusty winds.

The hurricane prompted tropical storm warnings for Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands and the north coast of the Dominican Republic.

The Bahamas issued a hurricane warning for its southeastern islands and a hurricane watch for its central islands. The storm was expected to plow into the chain of more than 700 islands starting today or Thursday. A hurricane warning also was posted for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Bahamian government was urging people in the southeastern cays to move to larger islands, said Carl Smith, the national disaster coordinator. One of the most vulnerable islands was Great Inagua, with a population of about 600.

“We’re reminding people to get water, food supplies and batteries, and to know what shelter is close to their residence,” Smith said.

Forecasters warned U.S. residents from Florida to the Carolinas to monitor Frances – the third major hurricane of the Atlantic season, following Alex and Charley.