The outer bands of the Category 1 hurricane swirled over the 21-square-mile island as the storm raced north-northeast during the afternoon, bringing tropical storm-force winds and downpours.

(CNN) -- Bermudians appeared to be somewhat unimpressed with Hurricane Rafael, which brought precipitation and strong wind to the island Tuesday.

"People are assuming it will just be a lot of rain and some gusty winds, similar to a winter storm," said resident John Manderson.

The 46-year-old telecommunications consultant said most shops were open Tuesday but many restaurants were suggesting patrons call before heading out to dinner.

The outer bands of the Category 1 hurricane swirled over the 21-square-mile island as the storm raced north-northeast during the afternoon, bringing tropical storm-force winds and downpours.

As of Tuesday night, Rafael -- with 85 mph winds as far as 35 miles from its center -- was about 115 miles (190 kilometers) east-southeast of the island, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Meteorologists said the storm was speeding along at 26 mph.

With the storm predicted to make its heaviest impact around 8 p.m. local time, a few colleges and the national library closed early, and much of the ferry service was shut down.

A few flights into the tourist destination were canceled or delayed, officials said.

Officials at Bermuda's Emergency Measures Organisation cautioned people on the eastern end of the island to take precautions because of strong winds and said higher than normal tides were expected at 10 p.m.

Rafael is expected to pass about 100 miles southeast of Bermuda, said Wayne Perinchief, chairman of the emergency organization.

Because officials were saying the island would be spared a direct hit, only a few locals were making storm preparations, Manderson said.

Forecasters said Bermuda might see 2 to 4 inches of rain from the storm, and some beaches in the Bahamas and the eastern United States will see swells caused by Rafael.

Meanwhile, along the Pacific coast of Mexico, Paul turned into a tropical storm and turned away from the Mexican coast without the center of the storm ever making landfall.

CNN's Catherine E. Shoichet, Nigel Walwyn and Greg Seaby contributed to this report.