Government has urged the public to prepare for what could be a close call with a hurricane early on Monday morning.

Meteorologists said Tropical Storm Erin was expected to intensify and continue on a northwesterly track towards the Island, arriving at its closest point of approach on Monday at 11a.m., when the storm was forecast to be 100 nautical miles to Bermuda's east-northeast.

The Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) predicted last night that the storm would then be packing winds characteristic of a Category One hurricane, at a sustained level of 65 knots with gusts up to 80 knots.

BWS spokesman Declan O'Connell said: "It looks like Erin could track a bit off to our east right now but this could change. There is some uncertainty and in six hours it could easily be off in the other direction."

Last night's midnight update placed the storm 500 miles to the south east, moving north at six knots. Mr. O'Connell said winds were expected to pick up over the weekend, increasing to between 35 and 45 knots tomorrow night.

He added that seas could increase outside the reef to between 14 and 20 feet during the same period.

Government's Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO), which met yesterday afternoon, urged the public to take appropriate measures so as not to be caught out if Erin hits.

But a GIS spokesman said decisions on whether to close schools or cancel ferry services would not be made until Sunday night at the latest, when weather forecasts will be able to predict the storm's movement more accurately.

Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox, who chairs the EMO, said: "Now is the time for people to check their own hurricane preparedness. We have two days to get ourselves ready.

She added: "We are lucky that modern technology allows us to access so much information these days. That means no one should be surprised by what Erin does on Saturday and Sunday."

Ms Cox made a special point of urging people not to go swimming or surfing as Erin approaches.

"The water becomes quite dangerous," she said. "Daredevils put not only themselves at risk but also those who have to go into the water to rescue them."

She said the EMO would be meeting again some time over the weekend and would keep the public informed.

Hardware stores said they had not experienced any noticeable rise in people buying supplies yesterday but added that they were prepared for what will probably be a rush for goods, including batteries, tarpaulin, torches and camp stoves, today.

Gorham's general manager Rod Ferguson said: "We have plenty of supplies and we're prepared for a rush over the weekend. People aren't panicking yet but they probably will when the weather starts getting a little worse."

Sandys Hardware Store owner Owen Cann said: "There's not been a rise in people getting supplies yet but we do have on hand a surplus of supplies people might want."

In contrast, a boat trailer company said it was getting calls "left, right and centre" from people who wanted to get their crafts either moved to a safer harbour or taken from the water altogether.

John Sousa, of Sousa's Boat Trailering Service, said he had a busy weekend lined up with about 20 customers already waiting.

"If you want your boat moved then I'd urge you to call as soon as possible because, at the last minute, everybody's going to be calling," he said.

A Rescue Coordination Centre spokesman said mariners should only move their boat if the mooring that it is on has not been surveyed recently or if it is in a particularly exposed anchorage.

He added: "Being out on the water immediately before a storm hits is never a good idea. If you do have problems with your mooring, it would be better to get it sorted out some time on Saturday rather than leaving it too late."

Hotels said they had not received cancellations due to the storm's approach but emphasised that they were keeping a close eye on weather reports.

A spokeswoman for the St. George's Club said yesterday a batch of guests due to arrive today were still scheduled to come.

"We'll inform the guests about the storm. Right now though we just have to wait and see. If it gets worse, we will put our contingency plans in effect."

Grotto Bay Hotel manager J.P. Martins said there had not yet been any drop in arrivals but added: "It's still early. If the storm does look like it will hit, we'll probably have some cancellations."