Bermuda is at risk of coastal flooding and will be battered by winds just short of hurricane force as Hurricane Gert passes by at lunchtime tomorrow, according to the latest weather prediction.

The centre of Hurricane Gert is forecast to pass 105 nautical miles east of the Island at noon tomorrow, but north-northwesterly winds of up to 52 mph (60 knots) are predicted to hit Bermuda.

A Bermuda Weather Service meteorologist said last night the prediction of 60 knot winds was "conservative'', and if the storm veers westwards towards the Island strong hurricane force winds cane be expected. A hurricane is classified as a wind of at least 64 knots.

The latest BWS update at 6 p.m. last night located Gert 450 nautical miles southeast of Bermuda with winds gusting at between 100 and 121 mph (115 to 140 knots). It was 25.9 north, 60.4 west and moving northwest.

Last week Gert was forecast to be heading on a direct course for the Island but it is now predicted to veer to the northeast of Bermuda.

BWS meteorologist Kimberley Stevenson said there was a risk of coastal flooding as seas continue to swell, but she was unable to specify particular areas.

She said the Airport, which is 11 feet above sea level, is particularly vulnerable, as the ocean is predicted to rise by between seven and 12 feet inside the reef.

She warned that mariners will need to seek safe havens for their boats until the storm passes.

Mrs. Stevenson said: "Locally, we are going to expect during Monday to have increasing clouds, scattered showers and the chance of thunderstorms.

"We should have east northeasterly winds of 20 to 30 knots, which is a moderate to strong wind, and seas will continue to build inside the reef by seven to 12 feet, and outside by 15 to 25 feet.

"We are already getting reports from the south of us that seas are 15 to 18 feet higher than normal at the moment but the forecast is to increase significantly over the next couple of days.

"On Tuesday, we are looking at cloud increasing, widespread rain and showers, and isolated thunderstorms. Winds will be strong to gale force, north north east, 30 to 45 knots in the morning.

"It will increase as Hurricane Gert approaches to 40 to 60 knots locally, which is four knots below hurricane force. Of more concern to us is the seas because we have a lot of mariners on the Island and low lying areas. We can expect seas to continue to rise. Outside the reef it will rise by 15 to 25 feet and maybe a bit higher and we may have some coastal flooding.

"Mariners will have to find a secluded bay to wait out the storm. They should all be prepared right now.

"The Airport is at extreme risk because it is only 11 feet above sea level and we're expecting seas to increase by seven to 12 feet inside the reef so we'll be keeping a close eye on it.'' An Airport spokesman said none of the scheduled flights to and from the US and Canada on Monday and Tuesday had yet been cancelled.

"They don't cancel that far ahead because they can't predict the weather and it is expensive to cancel that far ahead,'' he said. "If it gets bad tomorrow they might look at the situation.'' A British Airways spokeswoman said tomorrow's flight from Bermuda to London was scheduled to go ahead.

The week's cruise line schedules have taken a battering with three out of the five liners opting to give Bermuda a wide berth.

The Norwegian Majesty is sailing for Newport, Rhode Island. The Norwegian Crown is going to Halifax, Nova Scotia, while Zenith is heading for Virginia.

A Harbour Radio spokesman said that neither the Nordic Empress nor Horizon -- which is due in tomorrow -- had been in contact yet to confirm their arrival.

He said: "From what the forecast is saying, it looks as though its going to be pretty rough for the boats.'' The 23,000 tonne Iver Explorer was unable to come into the harbour at Murray's Anchorage yesterday morning due to the heavy swells.

The Dutch-registered ship arrived at 10 a.m. and was due to unload cargo at the Esso oil dock near St George but was prevented from doing so by the swelling seas, said a Harbour Radio spokesman.

The ship, which travelled from St Croix in the US Virgin Islands, was forced to go 12 miles to the south until the weather improves.

Bermuda's 150 reserve Police officers have been placed on standby for the storm.

Hurricane still a threat seem to have gripped Bermuda's residents.

No supermarkets reported being mobbed or sold out of batteries or bottled water, even after a statement from the Home Affairs Ministry on Friday warning people to "use the weekend wisely'' and "make sensible preparations''.

Anticipating a rush of customers, shops placed extra orders for essential goods.

But last night a spokesperson for Arnold's Supermarket in Somerset said: "Today was like a regular Sunday apart from the fact that we're selling a few more batteries and flashlights than usual.'' The Supermart in Hamilton reported that the rush for supplies was not nearly as heavy as expected.

"People don't seem to be panicking too much,'' a spokesman said, "We just had a delivery of batteries and we've got lots of bottled water left'' A spokesman for Somers Supermart in St. George's said his store was completely empty yesterday evening but added that "while it was quite busy yesterday we still have enough supplies. The management anticipated a high demand and we've had extra deliveries.'' And the A1 in Smith's reported that it was "doing very well''.

"Business has been quite steady although it was very busy yesterday,'' a spokesman said.