Hurricane Igor has lost some of it’s punch but is still a monster in size and Bermuda is bracing for an extended pounding.

The storm is now a Category 1 with 85 mph sustained winds, lessening fears of significant damage on this densely populated island, but it’s already bringing a significant storm surge and extremely rough surf with 12-15 foot waves.

Several feet of beach has already been chewed from The Reefs hotel on the southern coast.  The step down from the concrete landing at the base of Coconuts Restaurant to the sand below was once just a few inches but would now require a jump, with waves bashing into the patio and soaking the thatched roof.  The restaurant has been closed since Thursday night because of the dangerous wave action and the 2 dozen or so hotel guests who didn’t make it off the island are being moved to more secure rooms high on a cliff just in case.

The airport is closed and so is the Causeway linking it to the rest of the island.  Officials hope to reopen both Monday depending on conditions.  For now most are staying off the roads which are becoming increasingly dangerous, with the worst winds and heaviest rain expected after sundown Sunday.