The Acting Minister of National Security highlighted the importance of preparedness as Hurricane Erin drew closer to the island.

Jaché Adams said that, while the Category 4 storm was unlikely to hit Bermuda, it posed a threat that needed to be taken seriously.

He said: “Too often, when storms pass at a distance, people believe there is no need to prepare. That attitude is dangerous.

“We must guard against complacency. I urge every resident to treat Erin as a serious test of your preparedness for the season ahead.

“Do not wait until a storm is upon our doorstep to take action.”

The Bermuda Weather Service said during its midday update that Erin was about 733 miles south-southwest of Bermuda, near the Turks & Caicos Islands.

The system was moving west-northwest at about 10mph, with winds of about 138mph and gusts of about 167mph.

The BWS update said that, within the next 72 hours, the nearest forecasted point to Bermuda was 373 miles west-northwest of the island at midday on Thursday.

It reminded residents: “Please note that this forecast is subject to change with the next update.”

Mr Adams said that all preparations must be completed by Thursday morning.

He said that Bermuda would still remain open for business, including government offices and the Causeway.

The Orange Route ferry service to St George’s will be cancelled from tomorrow, while the remaining routes will continue as normal.

Bus services will run on a regular weekday schedule for the rest of the week.

A host of cruise line cancellations have already been made, including the Carnival Sunshine’s planned docking on Wednesday and Thursday and the Norwegian Aqua’s intended arrival on Wednesday.

The Vision of the Seas, which was scheduled to be in Bermuda over the weekend, was already cancelled.

Yet Mr Adams said that the Bermuda Tourism Authority did not expect any disruption to wider tourism services.

He added that there were no disruptions to flight services and that the LF Wade International Airport will remain open.

The Emergency Measures Organisation will meet on Wednesday to analyse the situation again.

Mr Adams said that the EMO was prepared to meet earlier if the direction of Erin’s path changed.

He said: “Rest assured, Government is prepared. The EMO agencies are prepared. I’m asking you, the public, to also be prepared.

“If we take this opportunity seriously, Bermuda will be ready for this hurricane season.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said earlier: “A turn to the northwest is expected later today, followed by a turn to the north and on Tuesday.

“On the forecast track, the core of Erin is expected to pass to the east of the southeastern Bahamas today and move between Bermuda and the East Coast of the United States by the middle of the week.”

Among its key messages, the NOAA warned: “Bands of heavy rainfall are expected through today over portions of Hispaniola and through Tuesday for the Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas, eastward from San Salvador Island. Flash and urban flooding are possible.

“Tropical storm conditions are expected in the Turks & Caicos Islands and in the southeast Bahamas today. Tropical storm conditions are possible in portions of the central Bahamas late today through Tuesday.

“Erin is expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the East Coast of the US, Bermuda and Atlantic Canada during the next several days.”

Mr Adams appeared on Fox Weather earlier to say that Bermuda had been in the path of several hurricanes for centuries.

He told presenters: “We have been resilient for generations in terms of how we prepare for these said hurricanes.

“Whether it be our building code, how we structure our roofs to how we structure infrastructure throughout the island, you’ll be amazed at how much is actually designed and prepared for such storms.”

Mr Adams added: “This is nothing new, but still something that we traditionally take seriously, and think we’ll manage.”

• For official forecasts, visit the Bermuda Weather Service’s website atweather.bm

• UPDATE: this article has been updated to include the latest comments from the Acting Minister of National Security