A meeting of the Emergency Measures Organisation was convened today to discuss Hurricane Joaquin and assess the Bermuda Government’s and other relevant agencies’ preparedness.

The storm, which has weakened to a Category 3 hurricane, is classed as a threat to the Island by the Bermuda Weather Service.

According to Michael Dunkley, the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) is closely monitoring the hurricane’s progress and he “strongly encouraged” the public to make sure that they are adequately prepared in the event of a storm.

Those living in low lying and coastal areas are encouraged to make the necessary residential storm preparations. As a precaution, those who own boats and other watercraft are also encouraged to secure their vessels in advance of the inclement weather.

“We are certainly no strangers to serious storms,” the Premier said. “But Mother Nature can be very unpredictable. So it is critically important that residents be prepared.

“Government agencies are at the ready and we are paying close attention to the developments with Hurricane Joaquin.

“As a timely reminder, I am strongly encouraging residents to ensure that their homes are secure and that their storm provisions, supplies and emergency kits are up to date. This includes an ample supply of batteries, fuel for your car, your bike and your generator.”

Additional preparation tips include blocking gutters with clean rags or other devices to prevent any leaves, salt and other contamination from entering water tanks.

Members of the public are also advised to bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools, and to anchor objects that cannot be brought inside but that could be wind-tossed.

Additionally, installing storm shutters over all exposed windows and other glass surfaces is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your home. Cover all windows, French doors, sliding glass doors and skylights. Plywood shutters, if installed properly, can offer a high level of protection from flying debris during a hurricane.

To ensure their clients are up to date with their insurance policies, Freisenbruch-Meyer Group today announced that it will be open on Saturday from 9am to 12pm.

“We urge our clients and the community to take this threat seriously and ensure preparations are complete by Saturday evening,” the insurance company said in a statement.

“To further assist you with how to prepare, please view or download our Hurricane Kit from our website, www.fmgroup.bm.

“If deemed safe, our offices will open as per normal on Monday, October 5, to assist clients with any claims they may have sustained as a result of Hurricane Joaquin.”

The container vessel Oleander has changed its scheduled arrival to Monday evening, so that it can come in behind the storm.

“We have completed a review of all available weather data with the Captain to determine the safest routing for the Oleander as Hurricane Joaquin passes Bermuda this Sunday and Monday,” Neptune Group said in a statement tonight. “As the hurricane will accelerate and continue to drift east toward Bermuda, the decision has been made to allow the hurricane to pass with the Oleander coming in behind the storm.

“Trying to outpace an oncoming hurricane is never a good strategy and BCL will never put the crew, the ship and your cargo at risk.

“As such the current plan is to target a Monday evening arrival and discharge with all containers being dispatched immediately over the road.”

The group added that Bermuda Container Line (BCL) has made arrangements for containers to be delivered over the road until 10pm on Monday.

Should harbour access not be possible on Monday evening, the Oleander will arrive and be worked with two cranes on Tuesday morning.

Customers will be updated on Monday with the latest arrival time and discharge plan.

• For more information visit www.emobermuda.com, www.weather.bm or www.facebook.com/dciBermuda.

• Televised weather updates are available on CableVision channel four and WOW channel 100.

• Government’s Emergency Broadcast station is available on 100.1FM

• For the public forecast dial 977, for the current observations dial 9771, for the marine forecast dial 9772 and for the latest warnings and tropical information dial 9773.

• For tracking of the hurricane, you can visit our weather page at www.royalgazette.com/section/weather.