Government today again urged people to be fully prepared for Hurricane Bill — as it turned into a Category Four storm.

According to the latest forecasts, Hurricane Bill is due to be at its closest to Bermuda at noon on Saturday when it will be about 180 miles away. It has maximum sustained winds of 115 knots with gusts up to 140 knots.

This afternoon acting Minister of Home Affairs, Walter Roban, said he was urging the public to be vigilant as Hurricane Bill continued its approach towards Bermuda.

He said that due to shifting timelines of the storm’s approach, residents were being encouraged to have their preparations finalised by Friday afternoon — at the very latest.

Mr. Roban added: “All forecast models show that the storm will pass very close to Bermuda on Saturday afternoon. The radar clearly shows that it’s a massive hurricane and we are certain to feel its effects as early as Thursday afternoon with high surf and increased wind conditions, particularly along the south shore.”

He added: “The public are urged to use common sense over the next few days, particularly when it comes to swimming at our beaches.

“We are expecting an increase in surf conditions, so as a public safety precaution I am encouraging all residents and visitors to refrain from swimming at the beaches from tomorrow afternoon until further notice.”

He said that as an added precaution, high surf warning signs will be erected at all south shore beaches to warn the public of the dangers associated with large swells and high surf.

The Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) is scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning to get an update on Hurricane Bill’s progress.