forecasters warned: "Anything's possible.'' And Sgt. John Dale of the EMO cautioned residents not to be complacent due to the "uncertainty'' of the storm.

Emily was upgraded back to hurricane status at around 8.30 p.m. yesterday, which was earlier than expected, a US Naval Oceanography Command Facility forecaster said.

"It's expected to continue on a western track away from Bermuda for the next 24 to 48 hours, and also it's expected to strengthen within that time,'' the forecaster said, adding it was not expected to turn around. Her top winds were 75 knots with gusts to 90.

Her closest point of approach to Bermuda was 342 miles to the south at 3 p.m.

yesterday. Her only effects were showers, expected to continue over the weekend.

Sgt Dale said: "We'd just like to warn everybody about becoming at all complacent with regard to Hurricane Emily. People must remember that Bermuda is still in the condition of hurricane watch. This has been declared because of the uncertainty of the storm. She has not yet passed and there's a possibility that she could change direction.'' Residents should stock up on such things as canned goods, dried milk, bike or car gas, boarding up equipment (hammer, nails, plywood, tarpaulin, rope), flashlight and a radio with batteries to listen to 100.1 FM emergency broadcast if necessary.

Meanwhile, South Florida stores reported residents were already preparing for the worst with the National Hurricane Centre saying Emily could reach the southeastern US with hurricane force in 3 to 5 days.

Last night the storm was 940 miles east of south Florida. Moving at a steady 9 mph, it did not pose an immediate threat to land.

But that situation will likely change in the next three days or so, said Dr.

Bob Sheets, director of the National Hurricane Centre.

On Thursday, the system surprised forecasters by exploding from a tropical depression, to a tropical storm, and then a hurricane.

Emily dropped back to tropical storm status late on Thursday before resuming a slow climb toward hurricane strength.

Far out in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Dennis, moving northwest, remained weak with top winds of 30-40 knots. His closest point of approach was forecast to be a distant 1,069 miles to the southeast of Bermuda.