category-five hurricane, the Emergency Measures Organisation has determined.

Those living on the Great Sound or other low-lying areas near water are believed to be most at risk.

As a result of its findings, the EMO is this month sending out letters to the occupants of those homes telling them what they should do in the event of a storm surge.

Acting Works Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons made the announcement in Parliament yesterday.

He said the number of homes at risk represented 10 percent of the Island's properties.

Mr. Simons said the EMO, headed by deputy Governor Mr. John Kelly, had noted several properties at the Foot of the Lane in Paget suffered serious flood damage during Hurricane Emily -- the most destructive hurricane to hit Bermuda in recent times.

In an effort to continuously upgrade its preparedness, Mr. Simons said the EMO had, since Emily in 1987, been examining the impact on Bermuda of storm surge.

Storm surge is a significant rise in sea level during a hurricane.

"Computerised models have been developed of various scenarios of storm damage caused by surges during category one, three and five storms, respectively,'' said Mr. Simons.

"The worst-case scenario would involve a category-five storm during a period of high tides and when the mean water level is already elevated because of a major storm.'' Mr. Simons pointed out though, that category-five storms could be expected only once every 50 to 100 years.

"During such a storm the mean water level could be raised in excess of 10 feet above the normal level,'' he said. "Consequently low-lying properties will be at risk.

"The Ministry has studied the impact of the worst-case scenario and has identified more than 2,000 properties that could be at risk.''