Islanders were braced for a rude wake-up call this morning as Hurricane Bill barrelled across the ocean 200 miles to the west.

Despite being downgraded to a Category Two hurricane yesterday, the huge storm was expected to intensify overnight to a Category Three once more, inflicting a punishing blow.

Residents in low-lying areas were also warned to expect "treacherous conditions" due to the presence of a Spring Tide.

The high tide, combined with a three foot storm tide plus surge from Bill, was expected to be at its most dangerous at around 10 p.m.

Dr. Mark Guishard, director of the Bermuda Weather Service, explained: "The water levels are generally one foot higher than normal right now due to a Spring Tide and a warm eddy.

"Given this combined force and three foot of storm tide and wave action, 10 p.m. tonight should see some of the most treacherous conditions.

"For this reason we took this to EMO (the Emergency Measures Organisation) to look at closing the Causeway."

Government cut off access to the Causeway at 8.30 p.m. last night.

Dr. Guishard said: "Anyone living in low-lying areas should seek safer ground.

"Certainly the South Shore should expect some of the worst conditions due to swells coming out of the south-east. That's where the effects will be most noted."

Bill's closest point of approach was last night forecast as 171 nautical miles to the west south-west of Bermuda at 4 a.m. with sustained winds of up to 50 knots and gusts of up to 65 knots.

Dr. Guishard said he expected winds to ease from 1 p.m. today.

An EMO meeting yesterday afternoon approved the closure of the Causeway until this morning.

Walter Roban, Acting Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, said the decision had been made "After careful deliberation, thoughtful discussion and in the overwhelming interest of public safety".

"Based on expert advice from the Bermuda Weather Service and other entities, we have been advised that the Causeway Bridge can expect to see unusually high tides, increased surf and sea swells as a result of Hurricane Bill," he said.

"As you can imagine, such conditions will pose a serious safety hazard to motorists and we have decided that it is better to err on the side of caution.

"The Bermuda Police Service and a detachment from the Ministry of Works and Engineering will maintain a steady watch over the Causeway over the course of tonight and tomorrow until the bridge has reopened."

In 2003 four people died as they were swept away attempting to cross the bridge during Hurricane Fabian.

Mr. Roban said the Causeway was expected to reopen this morning following an assessment of "the integrity of the structure" by engineering staff.

Government took the decision to close L.F. Wade International Airport at 5.30 p.m. yesterday, following the cancellation of the British Airways evening flight to London Gatwick.

American Airlines flights AA 1444 from JFK and AA 308 from Miami were also cancelled.

Although Mr. Roban said the airport was scheduled to reopen at "around 2 p.m.", today's Delta, Air Canada, Continental Airlines, US Airways and JetBlue flights have all been cancelled.

On the ground, public transport also ground to a halt yesterday, with the last ferry service at 2 p.m. and final buses leaving at 8.20 p.m.

Bus routes are expected to resume today but the ferry service will not resume until tomorrow.

As of 5 p.m. last night, Government opened up CedarBridge Academy as its designated shelter. The Emergency Broadcast Radio Station became operational from 7 p.m.

Mr. Roban however, said he had been "encouraged by the public's vigilance being exercised to ensure that they are properly prepared".

Around the Island, hoteliers were also braced for the onslaught of boisterous Bill.

Robin Gilbert, manager of 9 Beaches resort, said guests had been moved from beachside cabanas facing winds from the south-east to those on the northern, leeward side.

The resort has about 80 guests and Mr. Gilbert said measures were in place to accommodate them at other hotels if the situation worsened.

He added: "But at the moment we're not thinking about evacuating people."

Perry Robinson, director of operations at The Reefs, said staff were keeping guests informed and had advised them to stay away from windows.

"Our main priority is making sure the guests are safe and comfortable," said a hotel spokesman.

"I think there are one or two guests that are not very happy about the weather, but the rest are really just settling down and having a great time watching the surf."

Sophie Dyer, a spokeswoman for Elbow Beach, said: "We've offered guests who are staying in the cottages the opportunity to move to the main hotel.

"We've already closed the beach and Mickey's and stowed away some items."

Sea Breeze and Lido closed yesterday but are expected to be reopened today, pending no damage.

Grotto Bay general manager Shemel Dickinson said the hotel was fully stocked with food and water, while the managing directors of Horizons and Pompano Beach Club, Clarence Hofheins and Tom Lamb, said hurricane procedures were also in place but that it was "business as normal".

According to Ed Lindo, sales manager for Masters, Bermudians are better prepared than ever before for the advent of hurricanes.

Mr. Lindo said: "After Fabian, Bermuda is probably one of the best prepared nations in the world.

"I think Fabian was a real wake-up call for Bermudians. Instead of shopping hours before a hurricane, they are now shopping at least a week before. People are very well aware of what these storms can do now."

Both Masters and Gorham's reported robust sales of flashlights and batteries.

Betty Wolfe, floor manager of Gorham's, said: "Since Tuesday sales of hurricane items have been crazy.

"We have particularly cleared our warehouse of single gas stoves, lamps, flashlights and batteries."

Yesterday a Bermuda Hospitals Board spokeswoman said medical preparations were well underway to deal with any casualties of the storm.

"We continue to follow the guidance of the Emergency Measures Organisation and are now making our final preparations for the approach of Hurricane Bill," she said.

"At both King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and Mid-Atlantic Wellness Centre we are well-staffed overnight, and are ensuring there will be adequate staff available to cover the morning shifts, in case it is unsafe to travel Saturday morning."

She said that in the East End, the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre was also staffed to cover two shifts, with an ambulance and EMTs ready to deal with any emergencies.

Last night, Bermuda Gas and Utility Company General Manager Damon Wade said: "Should Bermuda experience severe storm damage this weekend, we would ask for the cooperation of the public in ensuring that telephone calls to Bermuda Gas are limited to genuine, emergency situations only.

"This will help us to maintain the safety of all customers and staff."

Belco said its line crews were on standby with Quick Response Teams on call. A spokeswoman said: "Belco Damage Assessment Teams will scout the Island immediately after the storm has passed, so that systematic restoration work can begin."

She added people should report downed power lines by calling 955.

Insurance company BF&M said it would remain "open for business" this afternoon and tomorrow.

The Argus Group's Customer Service Centre will open tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. to answer queries relating to storm damage.

The Bermuda Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists meanwhile cancelled its church services for today.

The Corporation of Hamilton also closed City Hall "in anticipation of the high winds associated with Hurricane Bill", and will reopen on Monday at 9 a.m.

Have you been affected by Hurricane Bill? Email: news@royalgazette.bm.