closest point to Bermuda.

At 7 p.m. yesterday the storm was 228 nautical miles to the west of the Island, and US Navy forecasters said it was not expected to get any nearer.

But they warned it was still a potential threat to Bermuda.

"It could always change direction,'' a spokesman said. "You never know.'' Floyd was moving north at an increased speed of 20 knots, with 45 m.p.h. winds gusting to 55 m.p.h.

The US National Hurricane Centre in Florida confirmed the storm had probably reached its closest point to the Island.

"What you're experiencing now should be about the worst of it,'' a spokesman said.

Cable TV viewers should have their local weather service back today, Bermuda Cablevision said.

The service had been disrupted by a telephone line fault, said general manager Mr. Don Greiner. Engineers were working on the problem.

Poor turnout at storm surge meetings -- Page 6.